For one player who wants supported online play, cloud saves for compatible games and Nintendo’s NES, Super NES and Game Boy libraries, the standard Nintendo Switch Online membership is the lower-cost choice. Expansion Pack is worth considering if you will use its additional classic-game libraries, selected DLC or—on Switch 2—GameCube Classics and eligible upgrade packs. For households, the right Family tier depends on how many Nintendo Accounts will use it.
The prices and features below reflect Nintendo’s U.S. listings checked October 5, 2026. Prices and availability can differ by country and may change.
How much do the Nintendo Switch Online plans cost?
Nintendo’s listed U.S. annual prices make the four options straightforward to compare:
| Membership | Annual price | Accounts covered | Starting point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Online Individual | $19.99 | 1 | One account needing the standard benefits |
| Nintendo Switch Online Family | $34.99 | Up to 8 | Several accounts needing the standard benefits |
| Expansion Pack Individual | $49.99 | 1 | One account that will use the extra libraries or included content |
| Expansion Pack Family | $79.99 | Up to 8 | Several accounts that will use Expansion Pack benefits |
Nintendo Support also lists standard Individual memberships at $3.99 for one month or $7.99 for three months. Those are U.S. prices; Nintendo notes that cost depends on country and membership duration. Check the Nintendo Support pricing page for the applicable market and current price.
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#1 Best Overall
![Nintendo Switch Online 12-Month Individual Membership [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Y9KbnDQKL._SL160_.jpg)
- Enjoy a curated library of 70+ classic Super NES and NES games. You can compete (or cooperate) online with friends, share your screen, or virtually pass the controller, depending on the game.
- Access a collection of Game Boy games to play anytime, anywhere!
- In addition to the game data regularly saved to your system, you’ll have online backup. This makes it easy to retrieve your game data if you lose your system or start using a new one.
- Enhance your online experience with the Nintendo Switch Online app. For example, you can use voice chat with players in compatible games.
What do both membership tiers include?
Both Nintendo Switch Online and Expansion Pack include online multiplayer for supported games, Save Data Cloud backup for supported games, select NES, Super NES and Game Boy Classics, the Nintendo Music app, member offers and GameChat on Switch 2. The cloud-save benefit is not universal: it applies only to compatible games. App features can also have separate device, age and internet requirements. Nintendo’s membership comparison lists the shared benefits and their qualifications.
What does Expansion Pack add?
Additional classic-game libraries
Expansion Pack includes the standard benefits plus select Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, Virtual Boy and SEGA Genesis games. On Switch 2, its added classic-game offering also includes GameCube Classics. These are selected libraries, not access to every game from those systems.
Rank #2
![Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack 12-month Individual Membership – [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41-OKs2tCCL._SL160_.jpg)
- Library of classic Nintendo 64 games
- Collection of classic and colorful Game Boy Advance games
- All Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass* content as released
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise DLC *
- Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion*
Selected DLC and Switch 2 Edition upgrade packs
Nintendo lists Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise and Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion among the included DLC. The relevant base game is required and sold separately. Access to included DLC pauses if the membership lapses, so the benefit is membership access rather than permanent ownership.
For Switch 2, Expansion Pack includes upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The underlying games are required. Nintendo’s Expansion Pack details identify the libraries, included content and platform-specific features.
Rank #3
![Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack 12-month Family Membership – [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/4167UlUf-SL._SL160_.jpg)
- Library of classic Nintendo 64 games
- Collection of classic and colorful Game Boy Advance games
- All Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass* content as released
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise DLC *
- Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion*
Does owning Switch 2 change which plan is worthwhile?
Either membership tier can be purchased for use on Switch or Switch 2, but some benefits require Switch 2. GameCube Classics and the listed Zelda Switch 2 Edition upgrade packs are Switch 2 benefits; GameChat is also a Switch 2 feature available to members of either tier. If you own only the original Switch, do not count those Switch 2-specific additions as value you can use now.
Nintendo describes the GameCube controller as an optional accessory for Switch 2’s GameCube Classics collection, subject to availability. Virtual Boy games require an additional accessory, but Nintendo’s cited feature information does not establish its precise model or current availability. Neither accessory is required to buy the membership.
Rank #4
![Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership 12 Month - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41npXXvyKLL._SL160_.jpg)
- Online Play – Battle it out or cooperate with players online in compatible games like Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Invite friends to your in-game island or visit theirs in Animal Crossing: New Horizons!
- NES and Super NES - Nintendo Switch Online – Enjoy a curated library of 70+ classic Super NES and NES games. You can compete (or cooperate) online with friends, share your screen, or virtually pass the controller, depending on the game. With the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app, you can also voice chat during your play sessions in compatible games.
- Access a collection of Game Boy games to play anytime, anywhere! Face off against Wario in Super Mario Land 2 - 6 Golden Coins and thwart an intergalactic menace in Metroid II - Return of Samus as you revisit (or discover) these classics games.
- Save Data Cloud* – In addition to the game data regularly saved to your system, you’ll have online backup. This makes it easy to retrieve your game data if you lose your system or start using a new one.
- Smartphone app – Enhance your online experience with the Nintendo Switch Online app. For example, you can use voice chat with players in compatible games. In addition, the app gives players of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Splatoon 2 access to special game-enhancing features.
How does Family Membership value work?
A Family Membership covers up to eight Nintendo Accounts. At the full eight-account limit, the listed U.S. annual prices work out to approximately $4.37 per account for standard Family ($34.99 ÷ 8) and $10.00 per account for Expansion Pack Family ($79.99 ÷ 8). These calculations assume all eight accounts use the plan; with fewer users, divide the annual price by the actual number of participating accounts. Check Nintendo’s current account terms for eligibility within a family group. Nintendo’s service overview describes the account limit.
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Seven-day trial
Nintendo advertises a seven-day free trial for standard Nintendo Switch Online. Its comparison page says the trial is not available for Expansion Pack or to Nintendo Accounts that already have an active Individual or Family membership. The trial converts to a paid one-month auto-renewing membership at the then-current price unless automatic renewal is turned off before the trial ends. Review the terms before starting the trial.
Best Value
- Enjoy a curated library of 70+ classic Super NES and NES games. You can compete (or cooperate) online with friends, share your screen, or virtually pass the controller, depending on the game.
- Access a collection of Game Boy games to play anytime, anywhere!
- In addition to the game data regularly saved to your system, you’ll have online backup. This makes it easy to retrieve your game data if you lose your system or start using a new one.
- Enhance your online experience with the Nintendo Switch Online app. For example, you can use voice chat with players in compatible games.
- Redemption: Online
Moving from standard to Expansion Pack
Nintendo allows members to switch from standard to Expansion Pack through Nintendo eShop or Nintendo Account settings. The price is discounted on a prorated basis according to the remaining membership time; the account displays the actual charge, so check there rather than relying on a general upgrade estimate.
Which Nintendo Switch Online plan should you choose?
- Choose Individual if one account wants supported online play, cloud saves for compatible games and the standard classic libraries, without expecting to use Expansion Pack content.
- Choose Family if multiple accounts need those standard benefits. Its per-account cost falls as more of the available account slots are used.
- Consider Expansion Pack Individual if one account will play its additional classic libraries or use the included DLC, especially if you own Switch 2 and want its platform-specific benefits.
- Consider Expansion Pack Family if multiple accounts will use those expanded benefits. Compare its price against the actual number of participating accounts, not the eight-account maximum unless all eight will use it.
The choice comes down to the annual price, number of accounts, interest in the standard benefits, whether the added libraries or selected content matter to you, and— for Switch 2-specific additions—whether you own that system. Nintendo’s listed prices and included content are documented on its U.S. plan comparison; check Nintendo’s local store for your country.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
