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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchAs of August 18, 2026, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is Nintendo’s premium annual membership tier. In the U.S., it costs $49.99 for one account or $79.99 for a Family plan covering up to eight Nintendo Accounts. It includes standard Nintendo Switch Online benefits, then adds selected Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Boy and SEGA Genesis games, Nintendo GameCube Classics on Nintendo Switch 2, selected DLC and selected Switch 2 upgrade packs. It is most worthwhile when you will use those additions; online-only players usually save money with standard Nintendo Switch Online.
See Nintendo’s current service details.
At a glance: standard NSO versus Expansion Pack
| Benefit | Nintendo Switch Online | Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online multiplayer | Included in compatible games | Included in compatible games | Game-specific requirements still apply |
| Cloud saves | For compatible games | For compatible games | Not every game supports Save Data Cloud |
| Classic games | Selected NES, SNES and Game Boy titles | Those libraries plus selected N64, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Boy and SEGA Genesis titles | Catalogs are curated and can change |
| GameCube Classics | Not included | Included on Nintendo Switch 2 | Not available on the original Switch |
| Included DLC | Not included | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass; Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise; Splatoon 2 – Octo Expansion | Base games are sold separately; access depends on an active membership |
| Switch 2 upgrade packs | Not included | Selected packs, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition upgrade packs | Requires compatible Switch 2 versions and the underlying games |
| GameChat | Included on Nintendo Switch 2 | Included on Nintendo Switch 2 | It is not an Expansion Pack-only feature |
| Nintendo Music and member offers | Included | Included | Offers and availability vary by region and date |
Nintendo’s membership comparison is the live reference for plan differences.
What standard Nintendo Switch Online already gives you
- Online multiplayer in compatible games.
- Selected Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Game Boy games.
- Save Data Cloud backups for compatible titles.
- Nintendo Music access.
- GameChat on Nintendo Switch 2 with a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- Selected missions, icon elements, in-game bonuses and special offers.
Online features are not universal. Nintendo says requirements depend on the game and service terms; check the Nintendo Switch Online FAQ for compatibility details.
What Expansion Pack adds
More classic-game systems
Expansion Pack adds selected games from Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Boy and SEGA Genesis. On Nintendo Switch 2, it also adds Nintendo GameCube Classics. These are membership-based applications and curated catalogs, not ownership of every game released for those systems. Nintendo can add or change titles, so use the current Expansion Pack page and Nintendo Classics listings for the latest lineup.
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- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Dock that supports 4K when connected to a compatible TV*
- GameChat** lets you voice chat, share your game screen, and connect via video chat as you play
GameCube Classics are Switch 2-only
Buying Expansion Pack does not unlock GameCube games on the original Nintendo Switch. Nintendo lists GameCube – Nintendo Classics as a Nintendo Switch 2 benefit. A Switch 2 is also required for the Switch 2-specific upgrade-pack benefits.
Included DLC
The current plan comparison lists three DLC packages:
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise
- Splatoon 2 – Octo Expansion
You must own the relevant base game. The DLC is generally downloaded through Nintendo eShop, is available while the membership is active and is not permanently added to your account as owned content. If the membership expires, access is paused; DLC bought separately remains yours. The subscription does not include Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons or Splatoon 2 themselves.
Rank #2
- 6.2” LCD screen
- Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
- Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
- Detachable Joy-Con controllers
- Nintendo Switch is the home of Mario & friends
Selected Switch 2 upgrade packs
Expansion Pack members receive access to selected Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade packs, including those listed for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. The membership does not provide the underlying games or automatically include every future upgrade. Nintendo describes this benefit as applying to compatible Switch 2 versions; owners who remain on the original Switch should not expect the Switch 2 Editions.
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Nintendo also describes selected upgrade packs as included at no additional cost for Expansion Pack members in its 2026 financial-results explanatory material.
U.S. prices and Family-plan math
| Plan | Annual price | Accounts |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Online Individual | $19.99 | 1 |
| Nintendo Switch Online Family | $34.99 | Up to 8 Nintendo Accounts |
| Expansion Pack Individual | $49.99 | 1 |
| Expansion Pack Family | $79.99 | Up to 8 Nintendo Accounts |
These are U.S. prices from Nintendo’s membership pricing support page. Expansion Pack costs $30 more per year than standard NSO for an Individual plan and $45 more for a Family plan.
Rank #3
- Play your way with the Nintendo Switch gaming system. Whether you’re at home or on the go, solo or with friends, the Nintendo Switch system is designed to fit your life. Dock your Nintendo Switch to enjoy HD gaming on your TV. Heading out? Just undock your console and keep playing in handheld mode
- This model includes battery life of approximately 4.5 - 9 hours.
- The battery life will depend on the games you play. For instance, the battery will last approximately 5.5 hours for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (games sold separately)
- Model number HAC 001( 01)
| Legitimate Family-plan members | Expansion Pack effective cost per person | Standard NSO effective cost per person |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $40.00 | $17.50 |
| 4 | $20.00 | $8.75 |
| 8 | $10.00 | $4.37 |
The per-person figures are simple cost-sharing calculations, not an additional Nintendo discount. Family membership applies to Nintendo Accounts in the family group, not merely to eight profiles on one console. Avoid unofficial “family slot” sellers, which add account, payment and access risks.
What the subscription does not include
- The base games for the included DLC or Zelda upgrade packs.
- Permanent ownership of subscription-included DLC.
- GameCube games on the original Nintendo Switch.
- Every retro game released for a supported system.
- Cloud backup for every Switch or Switch 2 game.
- Every future DLC package or Switch 2 upgrade pack.
Is Expansion Pack worth it?
It is a strong fit when you will use the extras
- You own Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons or Splatoon 2 and would use the corresponding included DLC.
- You want the N64, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Boy or Genesis libraries.
- You own a Switch 2 and want GameCube Classics.
- You own compatible games and want selected Switch 2 upgrade packs.
- You can share a Family plan with several people in your Nintendo family group.
Standard NSO is usually better for online-only use
Choose standard NSO if your main needs are online multiplayer and compatible-game cloud saves, especially if you do not own the included DLC’s base games or use an original Switch without interest in the added retro systems. The Individual premium is $30 per year above standard NSO.
When buying DLC separately makes more sense
A permanent DLC purchase can be the better fit if you expect to play one add-on for years, do not care about the classic libraries and do not want access tied to an active membership. Separate DLC prices change, so check the current Nintendo eShop listing before comparing lifetime cost.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- 6.2” LCD screen.
- Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
- Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
- Detachable Joy-Con controllers
What happens when membership expires?
- Online play that requires NSO stops.
- Cloud-save functionality is unavailable while unsubscribed, subject to Nintendo’s current retention and restoration policies.
- Membership-based classic-game access ends.
- Expansion Pack-included DLC access is paused.
- DLC purchased separately remains owned.
Renewing restores subscription-based benefits. Nintendo does not provide a single universal cloud-save retention period in the information covered here, so do not rely on an assumed number of days.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Cloud saves: check compatibility first
Save Data Cloud applies to compatible games, not automatically to every title. Nintendo says the vast majority of Switch and Switch 2 games support it, but some games or modes have restrictions.
- Open the game’s software information or its Nintendo support page.
- Confirm that Save Data Cloud is supported.
- Keep the console online and allow synchronization to finish.
- Follow the game’s own transfer and backup rules; cloud saves are not a substitute for checking them.
GameChat is not an Expansion Pack exclusive
On Nintendo Switch 2, GameChat is available with Nintendo Switch Online generally, so it is not a reason by itself to upgrade. You need a Switch 2, Nintendo Account, internet access and compatible software, along with Nintendo’s applicable age, privacy and communication settings. Some voice or mobile-app functions may require a compatible smartphone.
Best Value
- One player can use a Joy-Con in each hand
- Two players can each take one
- Multiple Joy-Con can be employed by numerous people for a variety of gameplay options (additional Joy-Con sold separately)
- Slip a set of Joy-Con into a Joy-Con grip accessory, mirroring a more traditional controller. Or, select an optional Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
Troubleshooting included DLC
“I subscribed, but the DLC is not appearing.”
- Confirm that you own or have installed the base game.
- Open the relevant game’s Nintendo eShop page and look for the included DLC download option.
- Check that the Nintendo Account using the game is covered by the active membership.
- Verify that the membership is on the expected account and has not expired.
- Install pending game or console updates.
- Check regional support; availability can differ by country.
Membership status can be checked in Nintendo Account or eShop subscription settings.
“Can I keep the included DLC after canceling?”
No. Included DLC is a membership benefit and access is paused when the membership lapses. Buying that DLC separately is the permanent-access alternative.
Changing plans, trials and code redemption
Nintendo allows eligible members to change an Individual plan to an Individual or Family Expansion Pack plan, or a Family plan to a Family Expansion Pack plan, through subscription settings. Review the displayed prorated or adjusted amount before confirming.
Nintendo’s free trial applies to standard Nintendo Switch Online and cannot be redeemed for an Expansion Pack membership. Also verify whether a code is Individual or Family before redeeming: Nintendo warns that certain plans can run concurrently rather than combine, and some code redemptions are incompatible with an existing plan. See Nintendo’s purchase and extension guidance.
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Regional and catalog caveats
The prices in this article are U.S. prices. Membership features, catalogs, offers and purchase options vary by country; consult Nintendo’s country-availability information. Special offers and retro-game additions are time-sensitive, so Nintendo’s live service pages are more reliable than a permanently fixed game list.
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.
