Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack: Worth It for N64?
The Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack is worth it for N64 games only if you play them regularly and value the convenience of an all-in-one subscription. For casual players who just want to revisit a few classics, the higher price over the base tier rarely pays off. Here’s a breakdown of what you get, what it costs, and how to decide.
What the Expansion Pack Adds
The Expansion Pack is a paid upgrade over the standard Nintendo Switch Online membership. It adds two main benefits: a library of Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games, and access to paid DLC for select Switch titles, such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass and Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise. The N64 library is the headline feature, with games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, and GoldenEye 007.
The service runs through a dedicated app on the Switch, which emulates the original hardware. It includes features like save states, rewind, and button remapping. The game list is curated and updated periodically, but it is not a complete N64 catalog.
Cost Compared to the Base Plan
The price difference is significant. A 12-month individual membership for the base Nintendo Switch Online is $19.99, while the Expansion Pack costs $49.99 per year. That’s a $30 premium, or 150% more. Family plans jump from $34.99 to $79.99 annually. The Expansion Pack also offers a 12-month individual option at $49.99, but there is no one-month or three-month tier—it’s all-or-nothing for a full year.
For that extra cost, you get the N64 and Genesis libraries plus the DLC. If you don’t own the DLC separately (which would cost $24.99 for the Mario Kart pass and $24.99 for the Animal Crossing DLC on their own), the Expansion Pack can be cheaper than buying them outright—but only if you actually use those games.
How the N64 Emulation Works
The N64 games run through an emulator developed by Nintendo, and the experience varies by title. Some games run at a higher resolution than the original, with improved textures and widescreen support in select cases. For example, Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask run at 720p in widescreen on the Switch, which is a noticeable upgrade from the original 240p output.
However, not all games are treated equally. Some titles, like Mario Party and Pokémon Snap, run at their original 4:3 aspect ratio with no resolution boost. Others have had minor bugs or audio glitches that were patched over time. The emulator is generally stable, but it’s not a perfect recreation—some players notice input lag or slight frame drops in busier scenes.
A key feature is save states: you can save anywhere and resume instantly, which is a major convenience for older games that lacked save features. Rewind is also available, letting you step back a few seconds if you make a mistake. These features are built into the app and work across all N64 titles.
Game Library: The Real Value
The N64 library is small but curated. As of early 2025, it includes roughly 30 games, with new additions arriving a few times per year. The lineup covers most of the system’s biggest hits: Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, Star Fox 64, F-Zero X, Paper Mario, Banjo-Kazooie, GoldenEye 007, and Pokémon Snap.
Notable omissions remain. Conker’s Bad Fur Day, Diddy Kong Racing, Perfect Dark, and most Rare titles outside of Banjo-Kazooie are absent, likely due to licensing issues. Some third-party games like Mystical Ninja and Goemon have appeared, but the selection is far from complete. If your favorite N64 game isn’t on the list, the Expansion Pack’s value drops considerably.
How to Decide: Questions to Ask Yourself
Before paying the premium, consider these factors:
- How often will you play N64 games? If you’ll play one game for a few hours and then stop, it’s probably not worth it. If you’re a dedicated fan who will revisit multiple titles, the cost per hour becomes reasonable.
- Do you already own the DLC? If you have the Mario Kart or Animal Crossing DLC, the Expansion Pack adds little for you unless you want the retro libraries.
- Are you on a family plan? The family plan is more expensive, but if multiple members use it, the per-person cost drops. A family of four pays $20 per person per year, which is the same as the base individual plan—making the Expansion Pack a better deal in that scenario.
- Do you value save states and rewind? These features are exclusive to the subscription and are a huge quality-of-life improvement for older games.
- Is the game list enough? Check the current roster. If you see at least 5–10 games you genuinely want to play, the subscription is more likely to be worth it.
If you’re on the fence, consider buying a one-month subscription (if available) or waiting for a free trial period. Nintendo occasionally offers free trials for the Expansion Pack, which lets you test the service before committing.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
One common misconception is that the Expansion Pack includes all N64 games. It does not—it’s a rotating, curated selection. Another is that the emulation is flawless. While it’s generally good, some games have had issues at launch. For example, Majora’s Mask had a visual glitch in the water temple that was later patched. GoldenEye 007 initially had a 30fps cap and some control issues, but updates improved it.
Another issue is input lag. Some players report a slight delay when using wireless controllers, which can be noticeable in fast-paced games like F-Zero X. Using a wired controller or the Switch Pro Controller in wired mode can reduce this, but it’s not always eliminated.
Also, the N64 controller is not included. You can use the Switch Pro Controller or Joy-Cons, but some games—like Mario Party—require the N64 controller’s specific button layout. Nintendo sells a wireless N64 controller for Switch, but it costs an extra $49.99, which adds to the total expense.
Alternatives to the Expansion Pack
If the Expansion Pack doesn’t seem worth it, there are other ways to play N64 games on Switch or other devices:
- Buy the games individually? Nintendo does not sell N64 games separately on Switch—they are only available through the subscription. This is a key difference from the Wii Virtual Console.
- Use the original hardware. If you still own an N64 and the games, you can play them on a CRT or with a scaler. This gives the most authentic experience but requires the hardware and a compatible TV.
- Emulation on PC or mobile. There are third-party emulators like Project64 and Mupen64Plus that run N64 games on Windows, macOS, and Android. These are free but require you to own the games legally (usually by ripping your own cartridges).
- Other consoles. The Wii U Virtual Console had a larger N64 library, but that service is now closed. The Nintendo 3DS also had a few N64 ports, but the system is discontinued.
Each alternative has trade-offs in cost, legality, and convenience. The Expansion Pack is the only legal, portable, and official way to play N64 games on a modern Nintendo console.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy N64 games individually on Switch?
No. Nintendo does not sell N64 games individually on the Switch eShop. The only way to play them is through the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack subscription.
Is the Expansion Pack worth it if I only want one game?
Probably not. If you only want to play Super Mario 64 or Ocarina of Time, paying $49.99 for a year is steep. You’d be better off waiting for a free trial or considering other means, such as original hardware or emulation on another device.
Does the Expansion Pack include all N64 games?
No. The library is curated and currently has around 30 titles. It includes many classics but misses several popular games due to licensing or other reasons. The list is updated periodically.
Can I share my Expansion Pack with family?
Yes, if you purchase the family plan. The family plan allows up to 8 Nintendo Accounts to access the service. The cost is $79.99 per year, which is cheaper per person than individual plans if you have multiple users.
Do I need the N64 controller to play?
No. You can use the Switch Pro Controller or Joy-Cons for all games. However, some games like Mario Party require the N64 controller’s button layout for certain mini-games. Nintendo sells a wireless N64 controller for Switch separately.
Is the Expansion Pack a one-time purchase?
No, it’s a subscription. You pay annually, and if you cancel, you lose access to the N64 games and DLC. The DLC is only playable while your subscription is active.
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