Nintendo announced on Wednesday that three long‑awaited Game Boy Advance titles are now available through the Game Boy Advance – Nintendo Classics app for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on the upcoming Switch 2 hardware. The added games are Monster Rancher Advance, Metal Slug Advance, and Kururin Paradise. Notably, Kururin Paradise makes its first appearance outside Japan, giving Western players a chance to experience a title that has been a regional exclusive for more than two decades.
The Nintendo Classics service, first launched for the original Switch in 2022, bundles a rotating catalog of classic handheld titles that can be streamed by subscribers. Since its inception, the app has brought back fan‑favorites such as Super Mario Advance and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and it now reaches a broader audience with the addition of these three games. For background on Nintendo’s online ecosystem, see the company’s profile on ANewsNetwork.
Kururin Paradise originally launched in December 2002 for the Game Boy Advance in Japan under the development partnership of Eighting and Nintendo. It is a direct sequel to Kuru Kuru Kururin, a spin‑the‑blade puzzle game that appeared in Japan and Europe in 2001 but never saw a North American release. The original Kuru Kuru Kururin eventually arrived on the Wii U Virtual Console in 2016 and was added to the Nintendo Classics app in 2023, but its sequel remained hidden behind a regional lock. The new Western release gives players a chance to navigate the frantic, rotating maze challenges that defined the series, preserving the bright, fast‑paced aesthetic that made the original a cult hit.
Monster Rancher Advance brings the beloved monster‑raising franchise to the handheld library. The game first appeared on the Game Boy Advance in 2001, following the success of the original Monster Rancher (known as Monster Farm in Japan) which debuted on the PlayStation in 1997. The series is famed for its unique disc‑reading mechanic that generated random monsters based on the physical media inserted into the console. While the PlayStation entries were developed by PlayStation, the handheld spin‑off was handled by different teams but retained the core gameplay of breeding, training, and battling creatures. The franchise also spawned a 73‑episode anime that aired from 1999 to 2001; you can read more about the series on Anime News Network.
The third addition, Metal Slug Advance, is a portable iteration of SNK’s iconic run‑and‑gun series. First released in 2004 for the GBA, the game translated the series’ signature over‑the‑top action, humor, and vehicle combat to a handheld format. SNK, whose legacy includes classics such as King of Fighters and the original Metal Slug, is highlighted on ANewsNetwork. The title’s inclusion arrives just as SNK is gearing up for a major release: the Metal Slug Ultimate Collection is slated for launch across Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam in 2027. Details about the upcoming collection can be found in the announcement article.
To promote the new lineup, Nintendo released a short trailer on its official YouTube channel, showcasing quick gameplay snippets from each title. The video emphasizes the nostalgic feel of the games while highlighting the smooth streaming performance on Switch 2.
The timing of these additions aligns with Nintendo’s broader strategy for the Switch 2, which is expected to launch later this year with upgraded hardware and a refreshed online service. By expanding the Classics catalog, Nintendo hopes to attract both veteran gamers who grew up with the GBA library and newcomers curious about the roots of modern franchises. The move also reflects a growing trend among platform holders to monetize retro titles through subscription models, a strategy that has proven lucrative for services like PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass.
For readers interested in how Nintendo is positioning the Switch 2 for both modern and retro experiences, the recent trailer for the Ocarina of Time remake on Switch 2 offers a glimpse of the console’s visual capabilities. More details can be found in the article Switch 2 Ocarina of Time Remake Unveils Hall of Fallen Foes and New Features.
Looking ahead, Nintendo has hinted that the Classics service will continue to grow, with additional titles from the 32‑bit era under consideration. Fans can anticipate more beloved GBA and even early Nintendo DS games making the jump to the cloud‑based library. Until then, players with a Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership can dive into Monster Rancher’s monster‑raising antics, blast through Metal Slug’s pixel‑perfect mayhem, and spin their way through Kururin Paradise’s challenging mazes—all from the comfort of their modern console.
Featured image: Nintendo's YouTube channel
Source: Anime News Network