European Switch owners, rejoice! Nintendo of Europe has confirmed that all the N64 games included in the Switch Online + Expansion pack can be played at 60Hz.
In a tweet posted on its official Twitter account, Nintendo of Europe confirmed that every single game that is included in the new Switch Online membership tier will be playable at 60Hz in the English language. The account also confirmed that some games will also have an option where you can toggle between the original European PAL versions with other language options.
All Nintendo 64 games included with #NintendoSwitchOnline + Expansion Pack can be played in 60Hz English language versions. Select games will also have the option to play the original European PAL version with language options. pic.twitter.com/nZeO4WQaPN
— Nintendo of Europe (@NintendoEurope) October 11, 2021
This is a huge win for European gamers who own Nintendo's hybrid console and are eager to replay some N64 classics without blowing the dust off their cartridges or N64 console. During the N64's lifespan, European games were released in the PAL format and unlike the US versions, these region-specific titles ran at 50Hz instead of 60Hz, leading many to see them as inferior versions.
As Eurogamer noted, when Nintendo announced that N64 games were coming to Switch Online, European fans were concerned the games may run at a lower refresh rate – particularly as a first trailer seemed to show PAL games. It seems we may have been seeing the PAL option in use, rather than the only version.
During a Nintendo Direct last month, the company announced that Switch Online is getting a big update, which will add N64 and Sega Genesis games to its virtual library for members to play. Some games arriving in the N64 launch lineup include Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Star Fox 64. The update is expected to arrive sometime this month, with pricing and a firm release date expected to come closer to launch.
Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.