Nintendo brings 3 Japan-only GBA platformers to Switch Online

Nintendo has released three previously Japan-only Game Boy Advance games for its Nintendo Switch Online service.

Three Densetsu no Starfy games (‘Legend of Starfy’) are now available to play for the first time officially in the West. As shown by Nintendo’s official announcement video, the games remain in Japanese with no localisation.

Developed by Kyoto-based Nintendo support studio Tose, Densetsu no Starfy are colourful platformer games in which players control the Prince of Pufftop Kingdom, a “golden-hearted (and slightly clumsy) hero” and frequent aquatic explorer.

“Join Starfy, his sister Starly and his gruff best friend Moe for a swimmingly slapstick trilogy of games full of vibrant action and adventure, all originally available on the Game Boy Advance system,” Nintendo said.

It was stated by members of TOSE at the time of the games’ release that they had wanted to release them outside Japan, but Nintendo of America believed they were full of too much Japanese cultural references for an international release.

NES, SNES, Game Boy and Game Boy Color games are available as part of the standard Switch Online subscription, which costs $19.99 / £17.99 / €19.99 for a 12-month individual membership.

However, to play Game Boy Advance games (as well as Mega Drive / Genesis and Nintendo 64 games), players need to have the Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, which costs $49.99 / £34.99 / €39.99.