You listened to your parents’ advice and left for the airport three hours before your flight. The only problem is there was not a single delay and you have arrived way before your plane even boards. Usually, you’re only left with a few choices. Buying a book from the airport shop, checking your emails (including your spam), watching YouTube videos, and/or buying overpriced airport food to pass the time. Thankfully, now there is finally an option that will help you enjoy the time before your flight.
For a short period, nintendo is launching a Nintendo Switch On the Go lounge program. This program is available in select airport lounges which will feature amenities such as a playable nintendo Switch and a Nintendo Switch Lite. While airport lounges typically consist of no more than a quiet space where you can snack and drink, the nintendo Switch On the Go Lounges will also feature charging ports and comfortable seating. Best of all, access to these lounges are free: no need to pay extra just to enjoy an hour or two on nintendo’s latest and hottest gaming system.
For those who grew up on nintendo, these new airport lounges are a great way to pass time before your next flight and to take a trip down memory lane! You can play your favorite 1980s games at the nintendo Switch On the Go lounge. Many of the games provided by nintendo are the recent installments to popular series such as Legend of Zelda, Mario Party, and Mario Kart. While the graphics and the storylines may be a little different from what you played in the ’80s, the same fun and thrills can be experienced with these new airport lounges.
Here is a list of just a few of the games available to play as a demo through this airport lounge program:
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Breath of the Wild is a new take on the popular action/adventure game which captured hearts from its first release in 1986. However, compared to past titles, Breath of the Wild has been highly praised for its seamless open-world design, allowing players to tackle the challenges of the game at their own pace and discretion. Though the Hyrule in Breath of the Wild might not look the same as the Hyrule you grew up with, the same lovable cast of characters are still there waiting for the next adventure.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Selling over 100 million copies worldwide, it’s no surprise that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe would be included in the games available to demo. Born in 1992, Mario Kart would spark a new trend among video game companies in producing a streamlined racing game oriented around our favorite Super Mario Bros. characters. While the more recent rendition of the famous series includes new features such as anti-gravity racing, those who grew up on the original 1992 Mario Kart can still experience familiar tracks such as the treacherous and frustration-inducing Rainbow Road.
Super Mario Party
While Mario Party is technically not an 80’s game as a series launched off from 1998, it has grown to develop its own (infamous) reputation as a friendship breaker and also as one of the games with some of the most confusing user interface. Nevertheless, Super Mario Party with the nintendo Switch On the Go Lounge platform brings the party antics to the airport. You can relive your adolescent years of frustration with family and friends, or if you’re feeling bold, strike up new friendships with this newest rendition of the Mario Party series.
Tetris 99
Considered one of the most sold video games in the world, at over 500 million copies bought and counting, Tetris is the franchise that took off nintendo’s original Game Boy console. Many millennials who owned a Game Boy could remember sitting in the back seat and squinting at their Game Boy screen while stacking those shapes. Though 2020 would be this puzzle game’s 36th birthday, Tetris is still going strong with the newest Tetris 99 released for the nintendo Switch. Enjoy the classic mechanics of Tetris in a competitive setting where you are pitted against—you guessed it—98 other players in a battle royale.
Participating Airports
For those interested and wondering which airports are participating, here is a list of airports involved with nintendo’s Switch On the Go lounge program:
Dulles International Airport (Washington, D.C.)
Location of the lounge: Concourse B near west entrance/exit, next to Gate B62
Dates: Feb. 17 to Mar. 29
Seattle – Tacoma International Airport (Seattle, WA)
Location of the lounge: Concourse C, next to Gate C10
Dates: Feb. 17 to Mar. 29
O’Hare International Airport (Chicago, IL)
Location of lounge: Terminal 1, Concourse B, between Gates B12 and B14
Dates: Feb. 17 to Mar. 29
Dallas Love Field Airport (Dallas, TX)
Location of the lounge: West Terminal, near Gates 14 and 16
Dates: Feb. 13 to Mar. 26
