Nintendo can and will remove retro games from the Nintendo Switch Online catalog

Nintendo has confirmed that it will remove its first game from the Switch Online subscription service, showing the catalog is not permanent or static.

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Later this month, Nintendo will delist a retro Super Nintendo classic from its subscription-only retro vault. The game in question, Super Soccer from 1992, isn't all that exciting, but it's still an ill omen to game preservationists and classic gaming nerds everywhere. It's unknown exactly why Super Soccer is being removed but it could have something to do with licensing rights--in this case, the rights holder is Japanese games firm Spike Chunsoft.

"Super Formation Soccer (Spike Chunsoft), a title included on Super Famicom Nintendo Switch Online, will cease distribution at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 28, 2025. Once distribution ends, even those who have already downloaded Super Famicom Nintendo Switch Online will no longer be able to use it," reads a post from Nintendo's Japanese account.

Super Soccer's listing on the North American access point for Switch Online also confirms the game will be yanked in the West.

Due to its games being essentially being subscription-exclusive on the Switch itself, the Switch Online catalog is actually the only real example of a true multi-game subscription service in the video games industry. Locking these games behind a subscription has driven up consistent long-term earnings, and the steady drip-feed of value over time has likely contributed to the 34 million Switch Online subscribers.

It's unclear if this will set some sort of precedence where more SNES, NES, GBA, and games from other platforms start rotating out of the service.