Nintendo Switch Online Removes a Classic Game – A Concerning Precedent for Subscribers
Nintendo Switch Online users in Japan and South Korea are about to lose access to a beloved classic title. On March 27th, Super Formation Soccer will be delisted from the service, raising concerns about game preservation and the true value of digital game subscriptions.
A Nostalgic Classic Set to Disappear
Originally developed by Human Entertainment and released in the early 1990s, Super Formation Soccer—known in North America and Europe as Super Soccer—gained significant popularity during its prime. The game was even included in the Super NES Classic Edition (2017), demonstrating its lasting appeal, particularly in Japan.
However, Nintendo’s recent announcement marks a turning point—it is the first time a game has been removed from the Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) service. The company shared the news via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, as well as in a small update on its Super Famicom NSO support page. Regardless of a user’s subscription level or playtime, Super Formation Soccer will become inaccessible after the delisting date.
Why Is Super Formation Soccer Being Removed?
One key reason behind this removal appears to be licensing agreements. Nintendo confirmed that Spike Chunsoft currently owns the rights to Super Formation Soccer. While there is no official explanation, speculation suggests that the game could be part of a future retro bundle or re-release, allowing Spike Chunsoft to monetize it separately.
Another possibility is that Nintendo’s licensing agreement simply expired, as noted by Polygon. If that’s the case, similar delistings of third-party titles may happen in the future, setting a troubling precedent for Nintendo Switch Online users.
Will the English Version Be Affected?
It remains unclear whether Super Soccer, the North American and European version, will face the same fate. Tracking the current owner of the English version has proven difficult, especially since Nintendo originally published it in 1992. If Nintendo still holds some rights to the localized version, it might remain available for now. However, it is also possible that Super Soccer is under a different licensing contract, which could lead to its removal at a later date.
Despite its nostalgic value, Super Soccer is not among the most widely played NSO games in Western markets. However, it is notable for featuring an in-game team named “Nintendo”, an unusual move for a third-party game.
A Concerning Trend for Nintendo Switch Online Users
The removal of Super Formation Soccer sets a precedent—this marks the first time in NSO’s seven-year history that a game is being taken away from subscribers. If Spike Chunsoft and other publishers follow this trend, third-party companies may begin withdrawing their titles from NSO to re-release them through more profitable distribution models.
It is also possible that Nintendo itself declined to renew the licensing agreement due to unfavorable terms. Without further clarification, subscribers are left uncertain about the long-term stability of the NSO game library.
Subscription Model vs. Game Ownership
Nintendo Switch Online is not a cheap service. With prices ranging from $4 per month to $80 per year for the Expansion Pack Family Membership, many users feel that they are paying too much for temporary access to classic games.
Unlike traditional game purchases, NSO does not allow users to buy and own digital copies of retro titles. Instead, they are locked behind a recurring fee, with no guarantee of long-term availability. While online multiplayer remains the primary function of the service, the uncertainty surrounding its game library raises questions about its value.
Final Thoughts
The removal of Super Formation Soccer highlights a major issue with subscription-based gaming services—users do not truly own the games they pay to access. While it is possible that Nintendo and Spike Chunsoft have valid business reasons for this decision, it opens the door for more third-party removals in the future.
For now, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers must accept that their access to classic games is never guaranteed. While this particular delisting may not affect the majority of Western players, it serves as a reminder that digital subscriptions cannot replace true game ownership.
