Yes. Ninjala is free to download and play on Nintendo Switch, and online play does not require a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Spending is optional: purchases include Jala currency, shop items, seasonal passes and tier advances, plus Story Mode content sold separately.
What does “free to play” include?
The base game is free, with additional content and in-game purchases available. You can play online without an active Nintendo Switch Online membership, according to GungHo’s official FAQ. The in-game shop requires an internet connection.
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| 1 |
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Switch Lego Ninjago The Movie Video Game - Nintendo Switch | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.83 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - US Version | $52.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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DRAGON BALL FighterZ - Nintendo Switch | $23.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe - US Version | $52.98 | Buy on Amazon |
Story Mode is not part of the free online game: Story Packs are separate content purchased through Nintendo eShop. The official sources do not establish that every pack is available in every region at all times.
What can you buy in Ninjala?
| Purchase | What it does | How it is paid for |
|---|---|---|
| Jala | Currency used for eligible shop items and other purchases. | Buy it through Nintendo eShop, or earn it from rewards. Sets may bundle Jala with items. |
| Shinobi Shop items | Costumes, accessories, fishing rods, Bait Gum and lures; stock can rotate. | Generally Jala, subject to the individual item and shop rules. |
| Gumball Machine spins | Can award Ninja-Gum and special items. | Varies by machine: possible payment types include Jala, Gold Medals, Gumball Machine Coins or Silver Medals. |
| Ninjala Pass or Pass Mini | A seasonal paid reward track, with the Mini covering progress through Tier 30 and the full pass through Tier 100. | Paid pass purchase; Jala can also be used to buy tiers. |
| Story Packs | Additional content for Story Mode. | Purchased separately through Nintendo eShop. |
These are the purchase categories documented in the official FAQ and official game manuals. They do not provide a complete current price list by region, so check the Nintendo eShop for your account’s region before deciding what to spend.
#1 Best Overall
- Amazing New Settings
Jala and the Shinobi Shop
Jala is the main paid currency, but it is not the only way the game handles purchases. You can obtain Jala through Nintendo eShop or earn it as a reward, including from pass rewards. The Jala Shop also connects to eShop and offers sets that combine Jala with items.
The Shinobi Shop sells avatar items and gear such as fishing rods, Bait Gum and lures. GungHo’s manual says avatar items change appearance only; they do not affect battle abilities or performance. The lineup changes, and limited items may not return, though some items can later appear again in the shop. Check the current in-game listings for what is available.
Rank #2
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
How the Gumball Machine works
There is no single payment method for every Gumball Machine. The machine determines whether a spin uses Jala or Gold Medals, or Gumball Machine Coins or Silver Medals. It can award Ninja-Gum and special items; a spin does not guarantee a particular item. The manual also says that once you have obtained a machine’s special item, subsequent spins dispense only Ninja-Gum.
What the seasonal passes add
Each season has a Free Pass. The paid Ninjala Pass provides a wider range of rewards, which can include avatar items, emotes and Jala. The Ninjala Pass Mini covers progress through Tier 30; the full pass has a Tier 100 cap. Rewards and items vary by season.
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- New stages and fighters are joined by the combined rosters of every past Super Smash Bros. Game
- Challenge others anytime, anywhere, whether you're on the couch or on the go
- Play any way you want—locally, online, in TV mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode, or even with GameCube Controllers
- Fight faster and smarter with new and returning techniques, like the perfect shield and directional air dodge
- Face off in 2-4 player battles, or play against the computer
- Seasonal benefits: During the season covered by the paid pass, Ninja-Gum is not consumed in battles, and eligible Shinobi Shop items are discounted. Collaboration items are excluded from that discount.
- Buying after progressing: If you purchase the paid pass after reaching tiers, you can claim its rewards for tiers already reached during the current season.
- Tier advances: You can spend Jala to buy tiers from the pass screen. The manual says there is no penalty for buying tiers rather than earning tier points.
Pass benefits and rewards are tied to the season, so review the current pass details in-game before buying. These features are described in the official Shop manual and Ninjala Pass manual.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is spending necessary?
No. You can play the free online game without buying Jala, a pass or shop items, and online play does not require Nintendo Switch Online. Consider a purchase only if you want a particular cosmetic, seasonal reward track, tier advance or Story Pack. Shop stock and limited-item availability change, and prices depend on region; check the live listings before purchasing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- A variety of playable characters are available, some with unique attributes that affect gameplay and platforming physics.
- Younger and less-experienced players will love playing as Toadette, who is brand new to both games, and Nabbit, who was formerly only playable in New Super Luigi U. Both characters offer extra assistance during play.
- Multiplayer sessions are even more fun, frantic, and exciting thanks to entertaining character interactions. Need a boost? Try jumping off a teammate’s head or getting a teammate to throw you.
- Features a wealth of help features, like a Hints gallery, reference videos, and a Super Guide in New Super Mario Bros. U that can complete levels for you if they’re giving you trouble.
- Three additional modes—Boost Rush, Challenges, and Coin Battle—mix up gameplay and add replayability, while also upping the difficulty for players who want to try something harder. Players can use their Mii characters in these modes.
Rank #4
- Nintendo Switch features: Simplified controls for single Joy-Con play. More features to be announced.
- Spectacular fights: Experience aerial combos, destructible stages, and famous scenes from the Dragon Ball anime reproduced in 60 FPS
- 3VS3 TAG/SUPPORT: Allows players to train and master more than one fighter/style, which brings deeper gameplay.
- HIGH-END ANIME GRAPHICS: Using the power of the Unreal engine and the talented team at Arc System Works, DRAGON BALL FighterZ is a visual tour-de-force.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Cartoon violence, mild language, mild suggestive themes
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.
