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Nintendo Switch Online Plans: Pricing & Best Value

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Nintendo Switch Online Plans: Pricing & Best Value

Nintendo Switch Online is Nintendo’s paid subscription service for the Switch console, offering online multiplayer, cloud saves, and access to classic games. The service has two main tiers—the standard Individual and Family plans, and the Expansion Pack add-on—with prices ranging from $3.99 per month to $79.99 per year. For most players, the standard Individual 12-month plan at $19.99 is the best value, unless you want the Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis game libraries, which require the Expansion Pack.

What Each Plan Includes

All Nintendo Switch Online plans share the same core features. These are the baseline benefits you get regardless of which tier you pick:

  • Online multiplayer: Play compatible Switch games over the internet, such as Splatoon 3, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
  • Classic NES and Super NES games: A rotating library of retro titles with added online play for some games.
  • Cloud saves: Back up save data for most games, though some titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons have restrictions.
  • Smartphone app: Voice chat and game-specific features for select titles, such as Splatoon and Animal Crossing.
  • Exclusive offers: Occasional in-game items, like the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe booster course pass (included with Expansion Pack) or Animal Crossing items.

The Expansion Pack adds two more game libraries: Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis. It also includes paid DLC for select games, such as the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass and the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise DLC.

Pricing Breakdown (2024)

Nintendo offers three billing periods for each tier. Here are the current US prices:

  • Individual 1-month: $3.99 (standard) / $6.99 (Expansion Pack)
  • Individual 3-month: $7.99 (standard) / $12.99 (Expansion Pack)
  • Individual 12-month: $19.99 (standard) / $34.99 (Expansion Pack)
  • Family 12-month: $34.99 (standard) / $69.99 (Expansion Pack)

Family plans are the only way to get a discount for multiple users. A family plan covers up to eight Nintendo Accounts, and each member gets full access to the features. There is no monthly or quarterly family option—only the annual plan.

Individual vs. Family: Which Is Better?

If you are the only person using your Switch, the Individual plan is clearly cheaper. But if you have multiple people in your household—or a group of friends who trust each other—the Family plan can be a money-saver. For example, a family of four paying $34.99 per year works out to about $8.75 per person per year, which is less than half the cost of an Individual plan.

The catch is that all members must be on the same Nintendo Account family group. You can add up to eight accounts, but they must be in the same country region. If you are splitting the cost with friends, make sure everyone is comfortable sharing a family group, because you cannot easily move accounts between groups once added.

Is the Expansion Pack Worth It?

The Expansion Pack costs $15 more per year for the Individual plan and $35 more for the Family plan. That extra money buys you the N64 and Genesis libraries, plus DLC for a few modern games. Here is what you get:

  • Nintendo 64 games: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Banjo-Kazooie, and others (about 30 titles as of 2024).
  • Sega Genesis games: Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Streets of Rage 2, Castlevania: Bloodlines, and more.
  • DLC: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass (48 additional tracks), Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise, and Splatoon 2 Octo Expansion.

If you are a fan of retro Nintendo or Sega games, the Expansion Pack is a solid deal. But if you only care about online play and cloud saves, the standard plan is sufficient. The DLC alone would cost more than the $15 difference if bought separately, so for players who want those expansions, the Expansion Pack is actually the better value.

Common Problems and Limitations

Nintendo Switch Online has a few quirks that users often complain about. Knowing these before you buy can save frustration:

  • Cloud saves are not available for all games. Some titles, like Splatoon 2 and Animal Crossing, do not support cloud saves to prevent cheating or item duplication. You can still back up Animal Crossing via a separate island backup feature, but it is not automatic.
  • Voice chat is app-based. Unlike Xbox or PlayStation, you cannot use built-in party chat on the Switch. You must use the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app, which is clunky and often criticized.
  • Retro game libraries are limited. The NES and SNES libraries are not complete; they rotate occasionally, and the N64 library is missing several popular titles like GoldenEye 007 (though it was added later) and Conker’s Bad Fur Day.
  • No free trial for Expansion Pack. Nintendo offers a 7-day free trial for the standard plan, but not for the Expansion Pack. You must pay full price to try it.
  • Region lock for family groups. All accounts in a family group must be in the same country, which can be an issue for international friends.

How to Choose the Right Plan

Here is a simple decision process to pick the right plan for you:

  1. Do you play online multiplayer? If no, you do not need any plan. If yes, continue.
  2. Are you the only user? If yes, go with Individual. If you share the console with family or friends, consider Family.
  3. Do you want N64/Genesis games or specific DLC? If yes, choose the Expansion Pack. If no, standard is fine.
  4. How long do you plan to subscribe? The 12-month plan is the best value per month. Monthly is only for short-term needs.

For a single player who just wants online play and retro NES/SNES games, the Individual 12-month standard plan ($19.99) is the best value. For a family of four or more, the Family 12-month standard plan ($34.99) is cheaper per person. If you want the N64 library and the DLC, the Individual Expansion Pack ($34.99) is the sweet spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Nintendo Switch Online subscription with friends?

Yes, but only through a Family plan. You can add up to eight Nintendo Accounts to a family group, and each member gets full access. The family group must be set up by one person (the admin), and all accounts must be in the same country. You can split the cost, but you need to trust each other because you cannot easily remove a member once added.

Do I need Nintendo Switch Online to play free-to-play games like Fortnite?

No. Free-to-play games on Switch do not require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription for online multiplayer. This includes Fortnite, Apex Legends, Warframe, and Rocket League. You only need the subscription for paid games.

What happens to my classic games if I cancel my subscription?

You lose access to the NES, SNES, N64, and Genesis games immediately. Your save data for those games is stored locally on your Switch, so if you resubscribe later, you can pick up where you left off. Cloud saves for other games also become inaccessible until you resubscribe, but they are not deleted.

Is the Expansion Pack worth it just for the Mario Kart DLC?

If you play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe regularly, yes. The Booster Course Pass adds 48 tracks and costs $24.99 if bought separately. The Expansion Pack costs $34.99 per year, so for $10 more you get the DLC plus the N64 and Genesis libraries. If you do not play Mario Kart or Animal Crossing, the Expansion Pack is not worth it.

Can I pay for Nintendo Switch Online with a gift card?

Yes. You can use Nintendo eShop gift cards to purchase a subscription. You can also buy physical prepaid cards at retail stores. The subscription is tied to your Nintendo Account, not the console, so it follows you if you buy a new Switch.

Are there any discounts for students or long-term subscribers?

Nintendo does not offer student discounts or loyalty discounts. The only way to save money is to choose the 12-month plan over monthly, or split a Family plan with others. Occasionally, Nintendo offers a 7-day free trial for the standard plan, but it is not always available.

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