Retro fans can blow into their virtual cartridges: Nintendo has just surprised its Switch Online subscribers with two new Game Boy classics. In February 2026, the games “Yoshi” and “Balloon Kid” officially join the Nintendo Classics application, enriching an already well-stocked offering.
This update, deployed discreetly on February 3, marks the first arrival of new Game Boy games on the service since last fall. Accessible without the Additional Pack, this extension concerns all subscribers to the basic Nintendo Switch Online service, available at $20 per year. It brings the total of titles available in the Game Boy app to 43, an increasingly essential collection.
Yoshi, the Mario puzzle that still defies time
Released in 1991 in Japan, then in 1992 in Europe, “Yoshi” is a puzzle game where Nintendo’s emblematic dinosaur takes his first solo steps. The principle is simple, but extremely effective: stack monsters from the Mario series, such as Goombas or Piranha Plants, to make them disappear in pairs. Eggshells even allow you to “trap” certain batteries and create combos.
Featuring a single-player mode and a two-player mode, “Yoshi” still appeals today with its addictive mechanics. This is an excellent entry point for young people into the Mario universe, while rekindling the flame of nostalgic gamers from the Game Boy era.
Balloon Kid: a flying sequel that takes off
More unknown than Yoshi, “Balloon Kid” (1990) is nevertheless a gem of a horizontal scrolling platform, a spiritual sequel to “Balloon Fight”. The player plays Alice, a young heroine equipped with two balloons, responsible for flying through the levels while avoiding traps and collecting additional balloons.
Here too, a two-player mode is included, transforming collection into a real aerial duel. The game mechanics are reminiscent of an ancestor of Flappy Bird, but with much more depth and control.
How to play new games on Switch?
To access “Yoshi” and “Balloon Kid,” subscribers simply need to update their app Game Boy: Nintendo Classics via their console connected to the Internet. Once done, both games will automatically appear in the library.
Please note, this update only concerns the basic subscription. On the other hand, those who wish to discover the future Virtual Boy applicationscheduled for February 17, must have the Additional Pack and a Virtual Boy accessory Switch 2 compatible.
Other surprises to come for February 2026?
Nintendo seems to want to pamper its retro fans. After this update, two more Virtual Boy games are expected later this month. As for the most requested licenses, like Pokémon Red and Blue, they are still conspicuous by their absence despite the 30th anniversary of the franchise.
The catalog is slowly growing, but expectations remain high. And if this announcement delights Yoshi fans, many hope to see the forgotten juggernauts of the Game Boy arrive soon.