A Complete Guide on Saving Games with Nintendo Switch Online

One of the most appealing aspects of subscribing to Nintendo Switch Online is the extensive library of classic games available to players. Fans can enjoy beloved titles from the iconic Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, as well as select SEGA games. This collection allows players to dive back into nostalgic adventures featuring timeless characters from franchises like Mario, Zelda, and Donkey Kong.

However, despite the seamless emulation of these retro games on the Switch, they come with certain limitations. A notable drawback is the way progress is saved. Unlike contemporary titles that feature auto-save and cloud storage options, many classic games on Nintendo Switch Online require players to manage their own save states, meaning that the burden of saving rests entirely on the player’s shoulders. Therefore, meticulous care must be taken to ensure progress isn’t lost.

How To Save Games On NSO

Creating a Suspend Point for Saving

Traditionally, saving progress in Nintendo games was straightforward. Players could easily access the game menu, navigate to the save option, and choose to store their progress. Some titles also offered auto-save features that triggered at significant milestones. Additionally, Nintendo’s cloud service facilitates saving files for access across various devices.

However, the classic games available through Nintendo Switch Online follow a different saving protocol. While some entries in this library do feature in-game saving mechanisms, they require players to interact with the system differently. By pressing the Reset button, you can create a temporary Suspend Point that is sent to the HOME Menu. It is important to note that these Suspend Points are not permanent and will be lost if the system is turned off or if a different game is launched.

To utilize these features, an active Nintendo Switch Online membership is necessary, granting players access to the games and to the Suspend Point functionality. From the Suspend Point menu, players can move the temporary points to one of the four available save slots by navigating with the D-pad and pressing the A or X button, depending on the controller used. To secure a Suspend Point against accidental deletion, players can highlight it, press Down to lock it, and press Down again to unlock it at any time.

Creating Suspend Points on NSO

Save Your Game Progress with Suspend Points

The Suspend Point feature offers users a practical solution for saving progress in the Nintendo Switch Online classic game library. To create a Suspend Point, simply launch one of the classic games, then simultaneously press the ZL and ZR buttons on your Joy-Cons. This action opens a new interface where you can choose to “Create Suspend Point,”allowing you to select from one of four available save slots.

Each saved game will display in the Suspend Point menu, complete with a timestamp indicating when it was created. For multiplayer experiences, it is worth noting that only the host player (Player 1) can create Suspend Points. This feature allows players to easily resume their gaming sessions in their classic Nintendo Switch Online titles—making it simpler to enjoy the nostalgia without the fear of losing precious progress.

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