Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack Adds CRT Filter and Rewind—But Only on Switch 2

Nintendo has confirmed that its Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack service will soon introduce two highly requested features: a CRT-style visual filter and the ability to rewind gameplay.

However, these enhancements are set to launch exclusively on the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2 hardware, leaving many current Switch owners questioning the company’s decision to restrict the updates. Announced via Nintendo’s official channels, these features invoke nostalgia and improve accessibility, primarily for users enjoying the retro catalog available through the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.

The inclusion of a CRT filter allows players to replicate the look of classic cathode-ray tube televisions, while the rewind feature enables users to jump back in time during gameplay—a valuable tool for tackling challenging segments in classic titles. This update, arriving as anticipation builds for the Switch 2, draws comparisons to past Nintendo strategies.

Previously, select Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) games were made available only to those with the New Nintendo 3DS, demonstrating Nintendo’s historical precedent for linking minor upgrades to hardware exclusivity.

However, the current move is being met with renewed scrutiny from the community. Several responses to Nintendo’s announcement on social media have highlighted that even budget-friendly, retro-inspired consoles include screen filters and similar options, making it difficult to justify the absence of these features from the original Nintendo Switch.

As one user articulated in a measured response, persistent company decisions like this have led to mounting frustration within the fanbase. Millions of Nintendo Switch owners who continue to subscribe to the Nintendo Switch Online service are set to miss out on these enhancements, even though the hardware requirement seems minimal.

It’s also notable that the Switch Online Expansion Pack—including its lineup of N64 and other classic games—remains a premium tier of Nintendo’s subscription model, making the exclusion especially felt among loyal customers. Nintendo has not commented further on the technical reasoning behind restricting the CRT filter and rewind features to the Switch 2 platform.

As the company readies the next generation of its hybrid console, conversations around digital content support for legacy systems and the value proposition of paid online services are bound to intensify. The Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack continues to evolve, but decisions like these underline ongoing debates about consumer expectations, platform parity, and the direction of retro gaming on future Nintendo hardware.

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