Nintendo Switch Online

What is Nintendo Switch Online?

Nintendo Switch Online is Nintendo’s premium subscription service for the Nintendo Switch family of consoles, providing online multiplayer access, a growing library of classic NES and SNES games, cloud save backup, and exclusive member benefits. Launched in September 2018, the service represents Nintendo’s entry into the paid online gaming space that Sony and Microsoft pioneered. For Switch owners who want to play games like Splatoon 3, Mario Kart 8, or Pokémon online with others, Nintendo Switch Online is a requirement.

What distinguishes Nintendo Switch Online from competing services is its focus on nostalgia alongside modern functionality. While PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass emphasize access to current-generation games, Nintendo’s service includes a substantial library of classic NES and SNES titles that defined gaming for generations. The Expansion Pack tier adds Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games, letting subscribers revisit classics like Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on their modern hybrid console.

Nintendo Switch Online has grown from a basic online access pass into a more comprehensive service with the introduction of the Expansion Pack tier. This premium option adds not only more classic game libraries but also DLC for select games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. For Nintendo fans who grew up with these classics and now want to share them with a new generation, the service provides unique value that other platforms cannot replicate.

Key Features

• Online Multiplayer: Required access for playing Switch games online with friends and players worldwide
• NES Library: Growing collection of classic NES games playable on Switch with online features
• SNES Library: Classic Super Nintendo games including Super Mario World, Link to the Past, and more
• Cloud Saves: Automatic backup of compatible game saves to Nintendo’s servers
• Nintendo Switch Online App: Companion smartphone app for voice chat and game-specific features
• Exclusive Offers: Member-only access to special purchases, Game Trials, and promotions
• Family Membership: Share benefits with up to 8 Nintendo Accounts in a family group
• N64 Games (Expansion Pack): Classic Nintendo 64 titles including Mario 64 and Zelda Ocarina
• Genesis Games (Expansion Pack): Sega Genesis classics library for retro gaming
• DLC Included (Expansion Pack): Animal Crossing Happy Home Paradise and Mario Kart 8 DLC included

What’s New

Nintendo Switch Online continues expanding its offerings:

• Game Boy and Game Boy Advance: Classic handheld libraries added to Expansion Pack
• New N64 Titles: Regular additions of beloved Nintendo 64 games
• More Genesis Games: Expanding Sega Genesis library with fan favorites
• Exclusive DLC: Additional DLC packs included with Expansion Pack membership
• Game Trials: Limited-time full game trials for members to try before buying
• NES/SNES Additions: Continued expansion of classic game libraries
• Special Offers: Member-exclusive purchasing opportunities and promotions
• App Updates: Improved smartphone app functionality

System Requirements

Nintendo Switch Console

• Console: Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, or Switch OLED
• Internet: WiFi connection required for online features
• Storage: Varies by downloaded games
• Nintendo Account: Required for subscription

Smartphone App

• iOS: Version 14.0 or later
• Android: Version 7.0 or later
• Internet: Required for voice chat functionality

How to Subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online

On Nintendo Switch

1. Open Nintendo eShop on your Switch
2. Select your user profile
3. Scroll down to “Nintendo Switch Online”
4. Choose Individual or Family Membership
5. Select Standard or Expansion Pack tier
6. Choose duration (1, 3, or 12 months)
7. Complete purchase

Via Web Browser

1. Visit nintendo.com
2. Sign in with Nintendo Account
3. Navigate to Nintendo Switch Online
4. Select membership type and tier
5. Complete purchase
6. Membership links to your account automatically

# Membership pricing (approximate):
# Individual Standard: $20/year
# Individual Expansion Pack: $50/year
# Family Standard (8 accounts): $35/year
# Family Expansion Pack: $80/year

# Setting up family group:
# 1. Visit accounts.nintendo.com
# 2. Go to Family Group settings
# 3. Add family members via email invitation
# 4. Designate admin account for payment

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Affordable: Cheapest major console online service at $20/year for standard tier
• Classic Games: NES, SNES, N64, and Genesis libraries offer unique nostalgic value
• Family Sharing: Up to 8 accounts can share one family membership
• Cloud Saves: Protects game progress from console loss or failure
• Included DLC: Expansion Pack includes valuable game DLC content
• Nintendo Exclusives: Only way to play Nintendo games online
• Regular Additions: New classic games added to libraries regularly

Cons

• Required for Online: Basic online play locked behind paywall feels mandatory
• App-Based Voice Chat: Voice chat requires smartphone app rather than console integration
• Limited Cloud Save Support: Some games don’t support cloud saves
• No Modern Game Catalog: Unlike Game Pass, doesn’t include modern Switch games
• Expansion Pack Pricing: Premium tier more than doubles the cost

Nintendo Switch Online vs Alternatives

Who Should Subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online?

Nintendo Switch Online is ideal for:

• Online Players: Anyone wanting to play Switch games online needs at least the standard tier
• Retro Gaming Fans: Those who love classic NES, SNES, and N64 games find tremendous value
• Families: The family plan offers excellent value for households with multiple Switch players
• Nintendo Loyalists: Dedicated Nintendo fans who want cloud saves and exclusive offers
• Animal Crossing Players: Expansion Pack includes the Happy Home Paradise DLC
• Mario Kart Enthusiasts: Expansion Pack includes the Booster Course Pass DLC

Nintendo Switch Online may not be ideal for:

• Offline-Only Players: Those who never play online games may not need it
• Modern Game Seekers: Those wanting modern game catalogs should look at Game Pass
• Voice Chat Users: The smartphone-required voice chat is clunky compared to native solutions
• Cloud Save Demanders: Those requiring universal cloud save support may be frustrated by gaps

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nintendo Switch Online required to play online?

Yes, Nintendo Switch Online is required to play most games online. Free-to-play games like Fortnite, Rocket League, and Pokémon Unite are exceptions – they don’t require a subscription for online play. But games like Splatoon 3, Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and most other Nintendo titles require an active subscription for online multiplayer.

What’s the difference between Standard and Expansion Pack?

Standard ($20/year individual) includes online play, NES/SNES game libraries, cloud saves, and member benefits. Expansion Pack ($50/year individual) adds N64 games, Sega Genesis games, Game Boy/GBA games, and includes DLC for select games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The DLC alone often justifies the price difference for players of those games.

How does Family Membership work?

Family Membership allows up to 8 Nintendo Accounts to share one subscription. One admin purchases the plan and invites others to their family group via email. All members get full benefits including online play and classic game access. At $35/year for Standard or $80/year for Expansion Pack, families save significantly compared to individual subscriptions.

Can I play NES/SNES games offline?

Yes, once downloaded, you can play the classic game libraries offline. However, you need to connect to the internet at least once every 7 days to verify your subscription is active. If verification fails, access to the classic games is locked until you reconnect. This prevents subscription sharing but allows normal offline play.

Do all games support cloud saves?

No, not all Switch games support cloud saves. Nintendo allows developers to disable cloud saves for games where they believe it could enable cheating or save manipulation. Notable games lacking cloud save support include Pokémon Sword/Shield and Splatoon 2. Check game pages in the eShop to confirm cloud save compatibility before relying on it.

Final Verdict

Nintendo Switch Online offers good value at its lower price point, especially for families and retro gaming enthusiasts. The standard tier at $20/year is the most affordable major console online service, and the classic game libraries provide entertainment that competitors simply cannot match. For Switch owners who play online, it’s a necessary expense that at least includes meaningful extra content.

The Expansion Pack tier’s value depends heavily on whether you’ll use the included DLC. For Animal Crossing and Mario Kart 8 players, the DLC alone makes the upgrade worthwhile. For others, the N64 and additional classic libraries need to justify the more than doubled cost. The growing Game Boy and GBA libraries add further appeal for handheld gaming nostalgia.

Nintendo Switch Online is recommended for all Switch owners who play online and essential for families who can maximize the family membership value. Retro gaming fans will find the classic libraries particularly compelling. Those focused purely on modern game access should note that NSO doesn’t compete with Game Pass-style offerings – it’s a different value proposition centered on Nintendo’s unique classic gaming heritage.