If you own a Nintendo Switch or are considering purchasing the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, you're likely aware of Nintendo Switch Online. This service is crucial for engaging in multiplayer modes and playing online with friends in a variety of popular games. Beyond that, it's an excellent gateway to explore over four decades of iconic Nintendo games, ranging from the NES, SNES, and Game Boy to the Nintendo 64 and, with the imminent launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, the new GameCube libraries.
If you haven't yet experienced Nintendo Switch Online, fear not—we've got all the information you need. In the following sections, we'll guide you through activating the free trial, detail the different subscription tiers, discuss pricing, and more.
Yes, Nintendo offers a seven-day free trial for Nintendo Switch Online. This trial grants you access to online play for your Nintendo Switch (and eventually Nintendo Switch 2 games), cloud backup for your save data, select game soundtracks on Nintendo Music, and a library of over 100 NES, SNES, and Game Boy games.
- Seven days free, then renewed at a monthly rate of $3.99. No Expansion Pack benefits are included. - See it at Nintendo
Click the link above to sign up for the free trial. After your trial period ends, you'll be automatically charged for your subscription if it's not canceled.
Nintendo Switch Online is a subscription-based service designed for use with Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. As the name implies, it enables you to enjoy online multiplayer and additional features for supported games, along with automatic cloud backups of your save data.
However, the benefits extend beyond online play. A subscription grants access to an expanding catalog of Nintendo Classics spanning over 40 years. The standard subscription includes a curated selection of NES, SNES, and Game Boy games, while the Expansion Pack adds titles from the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis. For Nintendo Switch 2 owners, the Expansion Pack subscription tier will also include select GameCube games at launch.
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Alongside the retro game catalog, Nintendo introduced the new Nintendo Music app in late 2024. This app allows you to stream and download your favorite tracks from a wide array of franchises, including Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Metroid, and many more.
Nintendo Switch Online offers individual and family plans. Individual plans are priced at $3.99 per month, $7.99 for three months, or $19.99 per year. Family plans, which support up to eight accounts, are available annually for $34.99 per year.
- Compare plans, prices, and perks - See it at Nintendo
The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, which includes additional Nintendo Classics and specific game DLC packs, is only available as an annual subscription. It costs $49.99 per year for individual subscribers and $79.99 per year for family memberships.
Nintendo Switch Online is primarily accessible on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 systems. However, with the recent addition of the Nintendo Music app, its benefits are now also available on mobile devices.
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