Nintendo is set to bring two beloved Game Boy Advance RPGs, Golden Sun and Golden Sun: The Lost Age, to the Switch through the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service on January 17, 2024. These two highly acclaimed titles from the 2000s are the latest additions to the service's growing collection of nostalgia, following the incorporation of three Nintendo 64 games in December 2023.
The Golden Sun series originated on the Game Boy Advance in 2001 and gained a dedicated following among RPG enthusiasts. However, the franchise has been dormant since the release of Golden Sun: Dark Dawn for the Nintendo DS in 2010. The availability of Golden Sun and its direct sequel Golden Sun: The Lost Age on Nintendo Switch Online marks their first appearance on contemporary platforms, introducing them to a new generation of players.
Nintendo of America unveiled the news on its official Twitter account, disclosing a release date of January 17 and unveiling a brief trailer to reacquaint everyone with the gameplay of the Golden Sun games. The announcement was met with enthusiasm from Switch enthusiasts, with many anticipating the opportunity to experience these critically acclaimed games for the first time. Similar to other retro ports on Nintendo Switch Online, the games have retained their original look and sound from over 20 years ago, while benefiting from enhancements such as high-definition graphics and smoother frame rates. The titles are expected to seamlessly transition to the modern platform, given that Golden Sun was revered as one of the most visually stunning Game Boy Advance games of its time.
Golden Sun Nintendo Switch Online Release Details
- Titles: Golden Sun, Golden Sun: The Lost Age
- Available for: Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
- Release date: January 17, 2024
- Subscription price: $49.99 (single) / $79.99 (family membership) for 12 months
While the series had been relatively quiet until this significant announcement by Nintendo, there was some speculation about the franchise a few years ago when the trademark for Golden Sun was renewed in Japan in 2018. However, any hopes for a potential revival were eventually dampened when no further updates about a contemporary sequel surfaced, leading to the assumption that Nintendo simply renewed the trademark to retain ownership of the intellectual property.
The addition of the Golden Sun games and other classic titles to online subscription platforms presents a valuable opportunity to revitalize revered franchises that are already considered retro classics. As subscription services like Nintendo Switch Online continue to gain traction over individual game releases, the incorporation of more hidden gems from the past would enhance their appeal and make them even more appealing, particularly to players seeking experiences distinct from the current mainstream gaming landscape.