Rayman 2 and Tonic Trouble Jump onto Nintendo Switch Online This December

Two N64 platforming icons are making a surprise comeback for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers this month. Rayman 2: The Great Escape and Tonic Trouble are landing on the service’s Expansion Pack tier on December 17th, giving fans a fresh reason to revisit these late ‘90s classics.

Both games originally launched in 1999, capping off a golden era for 3D platformers on Nintendo’s boundary-pushing console. Subscribers who’ve already tackled the likes of Mario and Banjo-Kazooie will want to dust off their digital controllers; these aren’t just nostalgia trips, but cult favourites packed with serious platforming pedigree.

First up: Rayman 2: The Great Escape. This isn’t just another retro port; this is the 3D debut of a character who helped define an entire genre. The original 1995 side-scroller made Rayman a household name, but it was Rayman 2 that catapulted him into three dimensions and set the gold standard for mascot platformers on the N64. Ubisoft nailed the formula, giving Rayman fully explorable worlds, smooth controls, and a visual style that still holds up a quarter-century later.

If that’s not enough, Tonic Trouble is also back in the mix. Think Rayman’s wild cousin; same publisher, but weirder. Created by Rayman mastermind Michel Ancel, Tonic Trouble stars a wide-eyed, purple alien named Ed. Ed’s mission? To stop the drunken villain Grögh from conquering the planet, armed with little more than his wits and the strange ability to transform into Super Ed after eating popcorn. (Not a bad superpower, honestly.)

Both games show off Ubisoft’s playful approach to 3D platforming, wildly inventive level design, offbeat characters, and challenges that still feel rewarding, even if you know every secret passage by heart.

The addition of these two classics comes on the heels of a string of retro updates for the Expansion Pack. In September, Nintendo dropped Forsaken 64 (a cult sci-fi shooter) onto the “Mature” app, giving fans of late-console shooters something gritty to chew on. Just a month later, Japan’s quirky Mario & Wario made its Western debut, leveraging new mouse controls courtesy of the rumoured Switch 2 hardware.

This steady drip-feed of standout titles shows Nintendo isn’t just leaning on the usual suspects. With Rayman 2 and Tonic Trouble in the spotlight, the company’s making it clear they know what retro fans want: more variety, more hidden gems, and more reasons to revisit the N64’s wildest years.

You’ll need that Expansion Pack subscription to get access to these platformers, joining a growing list of hard-to-find and much-requested classics. If you want a full rundown, Nintendo’s got an up-to-date catalogue listing every available game; worth a look if you’re already a subscriber (or just looking for the next big nostalgia hit).

Missed Rayman 2 the first time around? Never got to unleash Super Ed’s full power? December 17th is your shot to fix that, all within your Switch library, without digging a single old cartridge out of the closet.