Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) membership plans are packed with features that enhance your gaming experience, offering access to iconic games from past console generations and expansions for major releases. Whether you're browsing the Nintendo Store for new Switch games, these subscriptions provide a wealth of additional content that can enrich your playtime.
With the confirmation that NSO will be compatible with the upcoming Switch 2, these membership perks are set to continue, including access to retro game libraries on the new console. Choosing the right plan depends on what you're looking for in your gaming experience. Below, we'll explore the two available plans and their respective benefits to help you make an informed decision.
Whether you're eager to dive into classics like Ocarina of Time and Super Mario 64, or you want to race online in Mario Kart with friends, understanding what each NSO membership offers is crucial.
Does Nintendo Switch Online Have a Free Trial? -----------------------------------------------
### Nintendo Switch Online Free Trial
Nintendo Switch Online provides a seven-day free trial for its basic membership, allowing you to experience online play in your existing Switch games and access a wide range of NES, SNES, and Game Boy libraries. You can sign up for the trial directly on your Switch or through the Nintendo Online website by logging into your Nintendo account and following the prompts in the eShop. Post-trial, your subscription will automatically renew at a monthly rate of $3.99. Note that this trial does not include Expansion Pack benefits and each Nintendo account is limited to one free trial.
How Much Is Nintendo Switch Online?
### Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo offers two membership plans: Nintendo Switch Online and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. These plans can be purchased as individual or family packages, affecting the number of accounts that can benefit from the plan. Let's break down what each plan offers, including their benefits, drawbacks, and pricing.
Nintendo Switch Online: Individual - 1 month: $3.99, 3 months: $7.99, 1 year: $19.99
This plan is perfect for solo gamers primarily interested in online multiplayer. With a Nintendo Switch Online pass for one account, you'll enjoy full access to online play, the Switch Online NES, SNES, and Game Boy libraries, cloud saving, the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app, and unique offers and discounts. These classic games can be played offline if you've logged in within the last seven days, making them great for on-the-go gaming. However, this plan does not include access to N64, Game Boy Advance, or SEGA Genesis libraries.
A key advantage is the flexibility to subscribe monthly or annually, with a significant $27 saving for opting for the yearly plan. This is ideal if you mainly play on other consoles but occasionally return to your Switch for new releases.
12-Month Individual Membership### Nintendo Switch Online Gift Card
Available for $19.99 at Amazon, this gift card provides a convenient way to purchase a year-long individual membership.
Nintendo Switch Online: Family - 1 year: $34.99
The Family plan extends all the benefits of the Individual plan to up to eight accounts, making it a cost-effective solution for households. You'll need to commit to a year upfront, but it's significantly cheaper than buying eight individual memberships. Like the Individual plan, you get access to online play, NES, SNES, and Game Boy libraries, cloud saving, the mobile app, and special offers. This plan is ideal for families or groups looking to enjoy online gaming without the extra features of the Expansion Pack.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack: Individual - 1 year: $49.99
For dedicated Switch players, the Expansion Pack adds value with additional emulators and expansion content. This plan includes everything in the standard Nintendo Switch Online for one account, plus access to N64, Game Boy Advance, and SEGA Genesis libraries, and expansions for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Splatoon 2. You'll enjoy classics like Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Note that you must commit to a yearly subscription for this plan.
This package is perfect for those wanting to explore classic games without needing old consoles, but if multiplayer is your main focus, the standard plan may be more cost-effective.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack: Family - 1 year: $79.99
The Family Expansion Pack extends all the benefits of the Individual Expansion Pack to up to eight accounts. This includes the N64, Game Boy Advance, and SEGA Genesis libraries, along with the expansions for major titles. You also get all the standard Nintendo Switch Online features like online play, NES, SNES, and Game Boy libraries, cloud saving, the mobile app, and exclusive deals.
This plan is best for households where multiple players want access to both Nintendo Switch Online and the Expansion Pack's additional content. Keep in mind, the price jump is significant, and the expansions can be purchased separately if that's your primary interest.
