If you're a proud owner of a Nintendo Switch or considering getting the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, you're likely already aware of the wonders of Nintendo Switch Online. This service isn't just your key to unlocking multiplayer features and playing online with friends in your favorite games—it's also your gateway to reliving more than four decades of classic Nintendo gaming. Dive into nostalgia with titles from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and soon, with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, the much-anticipated GameCube library.
If you haven't yet explored Nintendo Switch Online, don't fret—we're here to guide you. In the following sections, we'll show you how to activate the free trial, break down the different subscription tiers, provide pricing details, and more.
Yes, Nintendo offers a **seven-day free trial** for Nintendo Switch Online. This trial gives 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 offered by Nintendo for use with Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. As the name suggests, it lets you enjoy online multiplayer and additional features for supported games, along with automatically backing up your save data to the cloud.
But online play isn’t the only benefit. With a subscription, you’ll also gain access to a growing catalog of Nintendo Classics spanning over 40 years. The standard subscription includes a curated collection of NES, SNES, and Game Boy games, while the Expansion Pack adds Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis games. For Nintendo Switch 2 owners, you'll also be able to play select GameCube games at launch with the Expansion Pack subscription tier.
- $49.88 at Walmart
- $49.88 at Target
- Along with the retro game catalog, Nintendo launched the new Nintendo Music app in late 2024. It allows you to stream and download your favorite tracks from a wide range of franchises, including Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Metroid, and many more.
Nintendo Switch Online is available as an individual plan or a family plan that supports up to eight accounts. Individual plans will run you **$3.99 per month**, **$7.99 for three months**, or **$19.99 per year**. Family plans are only available annually, priced at **$34.99 per year**.
- Compare plans, prices, and perks
- See it at Nintendo
- The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, which adds additional Nintendo Classics and specific game DLC packs, is available as an annual subscription only. It costs **$49.99 per year for individual subscribers** and **$79.99 per year for family memberships**.
Nintendo Switch Online is primarily available on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 systems. However, with the recent addition of the Nintendo Music app, its benefits are now technically accessible on mobile devices as well.
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