The Nintendo Switch has its own, paid subscription service that is required for online gaming.
However, not only does Nintendo Switch Online allow Switch owners to play more games online, the membership also offers a growing selection of free classic games to download, including Super Mario.
So there’s everything you need to know about Nintendo Switch Online, including price, family plans and what it offers.
What is Nintendo Switch online and what does it do?
The Online Switch is similar to Nintendo PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold. It is a paid service that allows you to play online multiplayer games, including other benefits and features.
You must be a Nintendo Switch Online member to play most games online. You will be able to play games like Splatoon 3 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in single player or local multiplayer, but you won’t be able to compete with your friends online if you don’t have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
Nintendo
Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online offers access to premium games, online play and more. Buying with an annual payment lowers the monthly cost.
Nintendo Switch Online member benefits
The clouds save
Online Exchange allows you to store your games in the cloud, to protect your progress. That way, if you need to wipe your Switch for any reason or run out of storage, you’ll still have a backup that you can download later.
There is a catch though; not all games will save to the cloud. Nintendo bans others to “ensure fair play”, whatever that means.
The Nintendo Switch Online app
The Nintendo Switch Online app is available iOS and Android and offers voice chat and social media for supporting games.
Contributions of members
Ads and promotions are available to members only. As well as occasional free games for the NES, SNES, N64, Sega Mega Drive / Genesis, Game Boy and Game Boy Advance.
Missions and Rewards
The Missions & Rewards section of the Nintendo Switch Online hub offers you tasks, such as “gaming software that supports online play”, or game objectives, such as “play the NES version of Super Mario Bros”. Each completed task will earn you Platinum Points that can be purchased for digital items (such as titles) or merchandise on Nintendo’s website. They can also be changed to images, frames and backgrounds for your Edit photo.
It is important to note that Platinum Points are not the same as Gold Points (usually obtained by purchasing games from Nintendo itself) and expire after six months, so do not forget to use them.
How much does Nintendo Switch Online cost and is there a family plan?
Changing the price online
The cost of Nintendo Switch Online varies depending on whether you prefer to pay monthly, quarterly or annually. There’s also a family membership that includes eight Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions. Everyone in the family can take full advantage of Nintendo Switch Online for different games or the Switch itself.
After the one-week free trial period, a regular subscription to Nintendo Switch Online will cost the following:
Individual membership
One month (30 days): £3.49, €3.99, $3.99
3 months (90 days): £6.99, €7.99, $7.99
12 months (365 days): £17.99, €19.99, $19.99
Family membership
12 months (365 days): £31.49, €34.99, $34.99
Change the price of the Internet Add-on Pack
The Online Expansion Pack update is required to access the classic N64 and Sega Mega Drive games, plus additional benefits (such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons DLC and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe additional courses for free).
You subscribe as a bundle of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.
Individual membership
12 months (365 days): £34.99, €39.99, $49.99
Family membership
12 months (365 days): £59.99, €69.99, $79.99
How to get a Nintendo Switch Online membership
It’s easy to sign up for a Nintendo Switch Online account. Using a browser, just browse here if you are in the UKor here if you are in the US.
Alternatively, you can register on your switch only. Go to the eShop icon at the bottom of the main screen, open the eShop and you will see “Nintendo Switch Online” as one of the options on the left. Click on it and it will take you to the membership options window where you can choose your membership, and even start a free trial period.
You’ll also need a free Nintendo Account, if you don’t already have one, head here: my.Nintendo.com.
What free games do you get with the Switch Online and Expansion Pack?
Classic NES, SNES, N64, Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, Game Boy, and Game Boy Advance series of games
A growing library of Nintendo Entertainment System games are available to play at no additional cost. Classics offered include Super Mario Bros, Super Mario Bros 3, Donkey Kong and The Legend of Zelda.
Switch Online members also get access to select SNES games, such as Super Mario World and Mario Kart, and Game Boy / Game Boy Color titles, such as The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX and Tetris. There are over 100 games available across the board. It turns your Nintendo Switch into a NES Classic Mini or SNES Classic Mini. Or an old-school handle, of course.
Those who pay extra for the Expansion Pack also get access to classic N64, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, and Game Boy Advance games. It also includes other free downloads, such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise DLC and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass (with the latest pack available).
Expand the lists below if you want to see the different games available.
List of free Nintendo Switch Online games for UK, EU and US (as of 19 April 2023):
NES
SNES
Game Boy / Game Boy version
N64 (as part of the Expansion Pack)
Sega Mega Drive / Genesis (as part of the Expansion Pack)
Game Boy Advance (as part of the Expansion Pack)