With its online services allowing players to enjoy iconic games from previous console generations and access several expansions for some of its biggest releases, Nintendo bundles a lot into its pair of Nintendo Switch Online membership plans. For those hopping onto the Nintendo Store in search of something new Switch games to play, you can find a ton of added extras with the right subscription.
But which membership plan is right for you? With two plans available, it’s worth deciding which benefits you’re looking for from a Nintendo Switch Online membership and the best offers you can take advantage of when signing up.
Whether you’re looking to play classic games like Ocarina of Time and Super Mario 64, or just want to hop into some Mario Kart online with friends, below we’ll run through Nintendo Switch Online’s full list of membership plans so you can make the right decision for you.
In total, there are two Nintendo Switch Online membership plans - Nintendo Switch Online and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Both plans can be purchased in an individual or family package, which affects the number of accounts with access to the plan’s benefits. We’ll run you through what each of these plans offer, the benefits and drawbacks and the pricing.
Nintend Switch Online Plans and Pricing (September 2023)
Nintendo Switch Online: Individual - 1 month: $3.99, 3 months: $7.99, 1 year: $19.99
- Provides a Nintendo Switch Online pass to 1 account.
- Access to online play.
- Full access to the Switch Online NES library.
- Full access to the Switch Online SNES library.
- Full access to the Switch Online Game Boy library.
- Cloud saving.
- Full access to the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app.
- Unique offers and discounts.
Nintendo Switch Online: Family - 1 year: $34.99
- Provides a Nintendo Switch Online pass to up to 8 accounts.
- Access to online play.
- Full access to the Switch Online NES library.
- Full access to the Switch Online SNES library.
- Full access to the Switch Online Game Boy library.
- Cloud saving.
- Full access to the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app.
- Unique offers and discounts.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack: Individual - 1 year: $49.99
- Provides a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack pass to 1 account.
- Access to online play.
- Mario Kart 8: Booster Course Pass included.
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise expansion included.
- Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion included.
- Full access to the Switch Online N64 library.
- Full access to the Switch Online Game Boy Advance library.
- Full access to the Switch Online SEGA Genesis library.
- Full access to the Switch Online NES library.
- Full access to the Switch Online SNES library.
- Full access to the Switch Online Game Boy library.
- Cloud saving.
- Full access to the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app.
- Unique offers and discounts.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack: Family - 1 year: $79.99
- Provides a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack pass to up to 8 accounts.
- Access to online play.
- Mario Kart 8: Booster Course Pass included.
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise expansion included.
- Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion included.
- Full access to the Switch Online N64 library.
- Full access to the Switch Online Game Boy Advance library.
- Full access to the Switch Online SEGA Genesis library.
- Full access to the Switch Online NES library.
- Full access to the Switch Online SNES library.
- Full access to the Switch Online Game Boy library.
- Cloud saving.
- Full access to the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app.
- Unique offers and discounts.
Additional Subscription Details
Nintendo Switch Online: Individual - 1 month: $3.99, 3 months: $7.99, 1 year: $19.99
The base Nintendo Switch Online package, this is the ideal pick for a player who’s the sole user of their Switch and mainly just wants to play online multiplayer. Offering full access to Nintendo’s online multiplayer services, after purchasing the pass, you’ll be granted access to the online portions of your favorite games.
There are also a few added extras. The full Switch Online NES, SNES and Game Boy games emulator libraries are included, featuring a curated list of games that includes classics like Super Mario Bros. 3, F-ZERO and Donkey Kong Country. As long as you have logged into your Nintendo Switch Online account in the last seven days, you’ll also be able to play these games offline, meaning you can take them with you on the go. However, at this price point, you won’t be able to play titles from the N64, Game Boy Advance or SEGA Genesis emulator library.
Finally, you’ll get additional deals and offers, the ability to save your data to the cloud (allowing you to transfer saves between Switch consoles) and access to the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app.
One of the biggest selling points of this pass is that you don’t have to commit to paying a year-long membership from the offset. Although you will get a $27 dollar reduction by paying for a full year out the gate, for those that largely play on other consoles and hop onto their Switch when a big new release hits stores, it means you can jump in and out of paying for Switch Online without having to purchase a full year-long membership.
Nintendo Switch Online: Family - 1 year: $34.99
Nintendo Switch Online Family is practically identical to the Individual tier listed above with the caveat that up to 8 accounts can reap the benefits of Switch Online. Unlike the Individual package, you have to pay for a year upfront with the family plan. That being said, for large households all using different accounts, it’s a much lower price than paying for 8 Individual accounts separately.
As with the Individual plan, you’ll be granted access to online play for all of Nintendo’s multiplayer titles as well as the NES, SNES and Game Boy emulated libraries. You can also expect member-exclusive offers and deals, the ability to save games to the cloud and full access to the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app.
The Nintendo Switch Online Family package is the best deal for large households mainly wanting to play online without any of the additional bonuses and features included in the Expansion Pack.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack: Individual - 1 year: $49.99
For frequent Nintendo Switch players, the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass offers a few extra goodies for a bump up in price. In the Individual package, you’ll get all of the features listed in the standard Nintendo Switch Online plan for one account, plus some additional emulators and expansion packs. It’s worth noting that you have to purchase a year’s subscription for the plan instead of being able to opt in monthly like you can with the standard Nintendo Switch Online package.
In terms of emulators, you’ll be able to hop into the N64 games, Game Boy Advance and SEGA Genesis emulated libraries, allowing you to play a curated catalog of classic hits like Ocarina of Time, Banjo-Kazooie, Super Mario 64, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Metroid Fusion.
You’ll also be able to access major expansions for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Splatoon 2. It’s worth noting that each of these expansions can be purchased separately via the Nintendo Switch Online store if you want to play the DLCs without subscribing.
The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Individual package is best suited for those looking to play some classic games on their Switch without having to source old consoles and games. If you’re mostly just looking to play with friends in multiplayer, you’re best opting for the standard Nintendo Switch Online plan rather than paying extra for the Expansion Pack upgrade.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack: Family - 1 year: $79.99
As with the Individual version of the plan, the Family Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack package offers the N64, Game Boy Advance and SEGA Genesis emulator libraries plus the Animal Crossing, Splatoon 2 and Mario Kart 8 expansions. The major difference is that up to eight accounts will be able to use these benefits simultaneously.
That’s of course also packaged with everything contained in the standard Nintendo Switch Online plan, including the NES, SNES and Game Boy emulated libraries, online multiplayer, cloud saving and exclusive deals and discounts.
The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Family package is best for households all wanting access to Nintendo Switch Online and the Expansion Pack’s various bonuses. However, the hike in price is much larger than the standard Nintendo Switch Online package, so it’s worth noting that the expansion packs included are purchasable separately if that’s mainly what you’re after.
If you want to access to free games without paying for a full subscription, check out our list of the best free Nintendo Switch games availalble now.
