Nintendo Switch Online is giving retro gaming fans three more reasons to revisit the Game Boy Advance era. As of October 14, subscribers to the Expansion Pack can play Monster Rancher Advance, Metal Slug Advance, and Kururin Paradise through the Game Boy Advance app.
Each addition offers a different kind of experience, from raising and training fantastical creatures to taking on enemies in action-packed stages and navigating challenging puzzles. The selection also includes a special milestone for North American players: Kururin Paradise is finally available in the United States more than two decades after its original release in Japan.
Originally released in 2001, Monster Rancher Advance puts players in the role of a monster breeder. The goal is to raise, train, and prepare creatures for battle, with more than 400 monsters to discover.
One of the game's distinctive features is its monster-creation system, which allows players to obtain creatures by entering special codes. Each monster has its own abilities, moves, strengths, and weaknesses, encouraging players to experiment with different training methods and battle strategies.
Fans of creature-collecting adventures may find plenty to enjoy here. Although Monster Rancher Advance differs from the Pokémon series in several important ways, both games offer the satisfaction of discovering creatures, developing their abilities, and preparing them for challenging encounters.
With its collection of monsters and training-focused gameplay, the game provides a substantial adventure for anyone looking for something to enjoy between major releases.
Players who prefer fast-paced gameplay can turn to Metal Slug Advance. This entry in the long-running action franchise delivers side-scrolling combat, challenging encounters, and the energetic style that has helped make the series a recognizable name among arcade fans.
Unlike the more extensive monster-raising adventure, Metal Slug Advance can be completed in roughly one or two hours. Its shorter length makes it a convenient choice for players who want an action game they can finish in a single sitting or revisit whenever they have some spare time.
The addition also offers an opportunity to experience another chapter in the franchise's history ahead of the series' upcoming anniversary collection, scheduled for next year. Whether players are longtime fans or newcomers curious about classic arcade-inspired action, the Game Boy Advance release offers a compact way to explore the series.
The most unusual addition is Kururin Paradise, a puzzle game that is making its official debut in the United States more than 20 years after its original release.
A sequel to Kuru Kuru Kururin, the game was showcased at E3 in 2002, with a North American release expected later that year. However, it never made it to the US market, leaving players in the region without an official opportunity to experience the game.
That changes with its arrival on Nintendo Switch Online. Players can now discover a title that remained out of reach for North American audiences for decades, making this release particularly noteworthy for retro gaming enthusiasts and fans of unusual puzzle experiences.
Its inclusion also highlights one of the benefits of classic game libraries: they can bring overlooked releases to new audiences while giving longtime fans the chance to revisit games they may have missed.
The latest Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack additions offer something for several kinds of players. Monster Rancher Advance emphasizes collection and strategy, Metal Slug Advance delivers a short burst of action, and Kururin Paradise brings a long-awaited release to a new audience.
All three games are available through the Game Boy Advance app for Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack subscribers. Players will need the Expansion Pack membership to access the titles.
For anyone looking for a smaller adventure between major releases, these additions offer three distinct experiences rooted in the Game Boy Advance era.
