Updated

Updated · Tech Times · Jun 8

Nintendo Preloads CYCLONE Challenges for 34 Million Switch Online Users as June 9 Direct Nears

Updated

Updated · Tech Times · Jun 8

Nintendo Preloads CYCLONE Challenges for 34 Million Switch Online Users as June 9 Direct Nears

Q: A secret 'challenges' mode for retro games is hidden in the Switch. Which classic titles will get this surprise upgrade first?

Nintendo has not publicly confirmed which NES, SNES, or Game Boy games will get the hidden Switch Online “challenges” feature first. What is known comes from datamining by LuigiBlood and others: the feature appears to be built into the latest NES, SNES, and Game Boy apps, but it is still locked and tied to only certain games rather than the full libraries. The dataminer has indicated they know the supported titles, but those names have not been released yet, saying players will “probably find out soon.” So, for the retro Switch libraries mentioned in the report, there is no verified first wave of titles yet. Any specific claims about which NES, SNES, or Game Boy games are included would be speculative until Nintendo activates the feature or announces it. The only classic games explicitly referenced in the broader material as already having a “Challenge mode” are outside that unannounced NES/SNES/Game Boy rollout: Space Invaders Virtual Collection on the Virtual Boy app includes a challenge option focused on clear times and score, and separate reporting has mentioned a new Challenge Mode for Star Fox on Switch 2. But those do not confirm the launch lineup for the secret retro challenges feature uncovered in the Switch Online apps.

3 articles · Updated · Tech Times · Jun 8

Hidden code in Nintendo’s newly updated NES, SNES and Game Boy apps points to a locked “CYCLONE” challenge system that could be unveiled at the June 9 Nintendo Direct.
Versions 9.0.0, 6.0.0 and 4.0.0 shipped no visible changes, suggesting Nintendo preloaded the feature and can activate it instantly with a server-side switch.
LuigiBlood said CYCLONE works like objective-based NES Remix stages, with defined start, fail and success states, rather than a RetroAchievements-style badge layer during normal play.
The challenges appear to sit in the Switch Online home hub, not inside each retro app, and apply only to selected existing library titles rather than adding new games.
For Nintendo, the feature would be the biggest Switch Online expansion in years and could help justify subscription price increases due on Sept. 1 in the U.S., Canada and Europe.