Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack vs Standard: Worth It?
The Expansion Pack is only worth it if you actively play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, or want the N64 and Sega Genesis game libraries. For most players, the standard Nintendo Switch Online plan is the better value, as it includes the essential online play, cloud saves, and the NES/SNES libraries at a fraction of the cost.
Background: What Each Plan Offers
Nintendo Switch Online (standard) launched in September 2018, replacing the free online service with a paid subscription. It provides the basics: online multiplayer, cloud saves, a smartphone app, and access to classic NES and Super NES games. In October 2021, Nintendo introduced the Expansion Pack tier, which added Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis libraries, plus the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass and the Happy Home Paradise DLC for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The Expansion Pack essentially bundles two major paid DLCs with the retro libraries, which is why it costs significantly more.
How the Two Plans Compare in Price
Pricing varies by region, but in the US the standard plan costs $19.99 for 12 months, while the Expansion Pack is $49.99 for 12 months. A family membership (up to 8 accounts) is $34.99 standard and $79.99 for Expansion. The Expansion Pack costs $30 more per year than standard. That $30 is the price of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass (sold separately for $24.99) plus the Animal Crossing Happy Home Paradise DLC (also $24.99). If you would buy both DLCs anyway, the Expansion Pack essentially gives you the N64 and Genesis games for free. If you would buy only one, the math is closer.
What You Actually Get: The Game Libraries
The standard plan includes a rotating selection of NES and SNES games. The Expansion Pack adds N64 and Sega Genesis titles. The N64 library includes classics like Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart 64, and Banjo-Kazooie. The Genesis library includes Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Streets of Rage 2, and Castlevania: Bloodlines. However, the libraries are not complete; they are curated and slowly expanded. Some notable N64 games like GoldenEye 007 were added later, but many fan favorites (e.g., Conker’s Bad Fur Day, Diddy Kong Racing) are still missing. Also, the N64 emulation on Switch has had performance issues and input lag complaints, though patches have improved some games.
The Two Big DLCs: Mario Kart and Animal Crossing
The Expansion Pack includes the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass, which adds 48 remastered tracks across six waves. If you play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe regularly, this is a substantial amount of content. The Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise DLC lets you design vacation homes for villagers and eventually remodel your own island home. It is a full expansion, not a small add-on. If you own both games and want the DLC, the Expansion Pack is cheaper than buying them separately. But if you only play one, or neither, the value drops sharply. The DLCs are tied to your Nintendo Account, so you can access them as long as your Expansion Pack subscription is active. If you cancel, you lose access to the DLCs, even if you previously bought them separately (in that case you keep them).
How to Choose: A Simple Decision Guide
- Choose the standard plan if: you only want online play for games like Splatoon 3, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (base game), or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate; you play retro NES/SNES games occasionally; you want cloud saves; or you are on a budget.
- Choose the Expansion Pack if: you play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and want all the new tracks; you play Animal Crossing and want the Happy Home Paradise content; you are a fan of N64 or Genesis games and want to replay those classics; or you share a family membership and several members will use the DLCs.
- If you are unsure: start with the standard plan. You can upgrade to the Expansion Pack later; the difference in price is prorated, so you only pay the difference for the remaining time.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
One common misconception is that the Expansion Pack includes all DLC for all games. It does not; it only includes those two specific DLCs. Another is that the retro libraries are complete, but they are not. Also, the Expansion Pack does not include any exclusive discounts or in-game bonuses beyond the DLCs. Some users have reported that the N64 emulation is not perfect, with graphical glitches and audio issues in certain games. If you are sensitive to those, the standard plan’s NES/SNES emulation is generally more polished. Another issue: the Expansion Pack price increase surprised many users, so it is worth checking if your region has a different price or if a free trial is available.
Alternatives to the Expansion Pack
If you only want the Mario Kart DLC, you can buy the Booster Course Pass separately for $24.99, which is cheaper than the $30 upgrade cost. Similarly, you can buy Happy Home Paradise separately for $24.99. If you only want N64 games, you could consider buying a Nintendo 64 controller and using the Switch Online app, but the Expansion Pack is the only official way to play those games on Switch. Another alternative is to skip the subscription entirely and play free-to-play games like Fortnite or Rocket League, which do not require Nintendo Switch Online. For retro gaming, you could use the NES/SNES libraries on the standard plan, or consider other legal options like the Virtual Console on Wii U (though that is discontinued).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade from standard to Expansion Pack without losing anything?
Yes. You can upgrade at any time, and you will only pay the prorated difference for the remaining time of your current subscription. Your save data, online access, and any DLC you already have will carry over. You do not lose access to the NES/SNES games.
Do I keep the Mario Kart DLC if I cancel the Expansion Pack?
No, unless you bought the Booster Course Pass separately. The Expansion Pack includes the DLC as a benefit of the subscription. When it expires, you lose access to those tracks and the Animal Crossing DLC. If you later resubscribe, they come back. If you buy the DLC separately, you keep it forever.
Is the Expansion Pack worth it for just one game?
Usually not. If you only play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, buying the Booster Course Pass separately for $24.99 is cheaper than the $30 upgrade. If you only want the N64 games, the expansion is the only way, but you need to decide if the N64 library justifies the cost. For most people, it is not worth it for a single game.
Are the N64 and Genesis games the same as the originals?
They are emulated versions, so they play the same games but may have minor differences like input lag or audio issues. Some games have been patched to improve performance. The emulation is not perfect, but it is the official way to play these classics on Switch. You can also use the wireless N64 controller sold by Nintendo, which is compatible with the Switch.
Does the Expansion Pack include any other benefits?
No, it only includes the N64 and Genesis libraries, the two DLCs, and all the benefits of the standard plan. There are no exclusive discounts, no extra cloud save slots, and no other special features. The main selling point is the DLCs and the retro libraries.
Can I share the Expansion Pack with my family?
Yes, if you have a family membership. Up to eight Nintendo Accounts can be on one family group. All members get access to the Expansion Pack benefits, including the DLCs and retro libraries, as long as they are part of the family group. This is a good way to get more value if multiple people in your household play the included games.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.