Nintendo Switch Online adds five more Classic games for May, including Tetris and Space Invaders – but not as you know them

Nintendo has reached deep into its back catalogue and revealed the next set of Classic games coming to its Switch Online + Expansion Pass subscription service. Which, this time around, is a bit of a treat for Virtual Boy fans – as long as you’ve forked out for the company’s big plastic headset, of course.

In total, May’s latest update brings five additions to Switch Online + Expansion Pass, and all of them are from Nintendo’s much-maligned Virtual Boy:

• V-Tetris
• Jack Bros.
• Space Invaders Virtual Collection
• Virtual Bowling
• Vertical Force

As someone who could only dream (and frequently did) of owning Nintendo’s big red face-stand back in the day, May’s additions are all somewhat unknown quantities to me – although I do at least know what a Tetris and Space Invaders is. However, the internet informs me Jack Bros. is a maze-based Megami Tensei spin-off, while Vertical Force is a (yes) vertical-scrolling shooter from Hudson Soft. And Virtual Bowling? It appears to be exactly what it sounds like.

Of course, while you won’t need to hit eBay to enjoy May’s additions, you do need to fork out for Nintendo’s recently released Virtual Boy peripheral – which comes in both plastic and cardboard varieties, costing £70 or £17 respectively.

Is either worth a punt? Tom Orry shoved his head inside the plastic Virtual Boy replica back in February, writing, “I kind of love the whole thing despite itself.” And if you’re wondering about the original Virtual Boy, Alex Donaldson tracked one down at the height of Switch 2’s pre-release frenzy last year.