NSO Holiday Challenge

What's It Like? NSO Holiday Challenge

What is the NSO Holiday Challenge?

The kids are almost on school holidays, and I thought it would be fun to put together a little set of gaming challenges for them to tackle over the break.

The NSO Holiday Challenge is made up of 12 challenges across some of the classic games available through Nintendo Switch Online. I’ve deliberately kept them short and achievable, with each one designed to take around an hour or two at most. The idea isn’t to master an entire game or spend hours grinding away, but simply to sit down, play something, and have a bit of fun.

There’s also a little bit of nostalgia behind the whole thing. These are some of my favourite gaming memories from growing up, and many of them are games I spent countless school holidays playing myself. Now, I’m hoping to give the kids a chance to experience some of those games for themselves, just in a challenge format to make things a little more interesting.

So grab a controller, pick a challenge and see how many you can tick off over the holidays!

Not sure what Nintendo Switch Online is? Find out more, including the option for a free 7-day trial here – Nintendo Switch Online

Wind Waker (GCN)

Defeat the Dragon Roost Island Boss

Something is tormenting the Great Valoo! Enter Dragon Roost Cavern, overcome its fiery dangers and defeat the dungeon’s monstrous guardian, Gohma.

  1. Follow Tetra to the Forsaken Fortress and help the pirates with their plan.
  2. On Windfall Island , obtain the Sail so you can explore the Great Sea.
  3. Sail to Dragon Roost Island, enter Dragon Roost Cavern and defeat Gohma.

Super Mario 64 (N64)

Beat Bowser (The First Time)

It’s time to take on the King of the Koopas! Collect enough Power Stars to unlock the first Bowser level and defeat him to claim your first Big Key.

  1. Collect 8 Power Stars from the castle’s available courses.
  2. Enter the 8-Star Door and make your way through Bowser in the Dark World.
  3. Grab Bowser by the tail and throw him into a bomb to defeat him.

Mario Kart: Super Circuit (GBA)

Win 2 Cups

Time to put the pedal to the metal! Pick your favourite racer and prove you have what it takes to conquer two full Grand Prix cups.

  1. Enter Mario GP and choose a cup.
  2. Race all four tracks in the cup and finish strongly enough to claim the overall win.
  3. Repeat with a second cup and take home another trophy.

Yoshi's Island (SNES)

Complete World 1

Baby Mario is counting on you! Guide Yoshi through the game’s first eight stages, collecting stars, flowers and red coins along the way.

  1. Complete World 1-1 through 1-4.
  2. Defeat the World 1 boss and continue into the second half of the world.
  3. Complete World 1-5 through 1-8.

Star Fox 64 (N64)

Defeat Andross

Do a barrel roll! Take control of the Arwing and guide the Star Fox team through the Lylat System, fighting your way to Venom for a final showdown with Andross.

  1. Fight your way through the Lylat System, following the path towards Venom.
  2. Reach Venom and make your way through the final stage.
  3. Face Andross and defeat him to complete the challenge.

Tetris (Game Boy)

Score 15,000 Points

How long can you keep the blocks from reaching the top? Rack up 15,000 points in the original Game Boy Tetris and prove your stacking skills.

  1. Start an A-Type game and begin clearing lines.
  2. Focus on doubles, triples and Tetrises for bigger scores.
  3. Keep playing until your score reaches 20,000 points.

GoldenEye 007 (N64)

Complete the First 3 Missions

Time to find out if you’ve got what it takes to be 007! Make your way through the Dam, infiltrate the Facility and survive the escape!

  1. The Dam: Complete Mission 1 and make your way to the extraction point.
  2. Facility: Infiltrate the chemical facility and complete your objectives.
  3. Runway: Escape the facility and make it to the extraction point alive.

Luigi's Mansion (GCN)

Defeat the First Boss

Poor Luigi has found himself in a haunted mansion, and it’s up to him to figure out what happened to Mario! Grab the Poltergust 3000 and take down the boss!

  1. Explore the mansion and collect the Poltergust 3000.
  2. Find and capture the portrait ghosts needed to progress through Area 1.
  3. Defeat the first boss, Chauncey, and claim your first key.

Super Mario Bros. (NES)

Reach World 4

The Mushroom Kingdom’s first great adventure awaits! Make your way through the early stages and reach World 4!

  1. Make your way through World 1, learning the basics and avoiding those pesky Goombas.
  2. Progress through Worlds 2 and 3, surviving pits, enemies and increasingly tricky levels.
  3. No Warp Zones! Reach World 4 the old-fashioned way.

Ocarina of Time (N64)

Meet Zelda for the First Time

The adventure is only just beginning. Leave Kokiri Forest behind, infiltrate Hyrule Castle and finally meet the mysterious Princess Zelda.

  1. Complete the Great Deku Tree and leave Kokiri Forest.
  2. Reach Hyrule Castle, obtain Malon’s Chicken Egg and use it to wake Talon.
  3. Sneak through the castle courtyard and speak to Princess Zelda.

Donkey Kong Country (SNES)

Complete World 1

Donkey Kong’s first adventure begins in the jungle! Battle through Kongo Jungle and take down its boss to complete your first world.

  1. Complete Jungle Hijinxs and Ropey Rampage.
  2. Finish Reptile Rumble, Coral Capers and Barrel Cannon Canyon.
  3. Defeat Very Gnawty to complete Kongo Jungle.

Fire Emblem (GCN)

Complete Chapter 5

Ike’s journey is just beginning! Take command of the Greil Mercenaries, learn the basics of Fire Emblem and lead your first battles as Ike.

  1. Play through Chapters 1–4, learning the basics of combat and managing your army.
  2. Begin Chapter 5: Flight! and protect the Greil Mercenaries.
  3. Complete Chapter 5 to earn your stamp.