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What Nintendo Music is—and what it is not
Nintendo describes Nintendo Music as a streaming service for music from its games. It is organized around Nintendo soundtracks, with game-based browsing, playlists, recommendations and listening tools. It is separate from the Nintendo Switch console and its games: the main ways to use it are the mobile app and browser player, not a native Switch console music app. Nintendo announced the service on October 30, 2024, initially as a smart-device app for Nintendo Switch Online members. Nintendo’s service description and launch announcement explain its original positioning.
It is not a general-purpose alternative to Spotify or Apple Music: its focus is Nintendo game music, and Nintendo does not promise that every soundtrack is included. If you want a specific game’s music, search the live catalog before subscribing.
Is Nintendo Music free, and do you need a Switch?
The app is free to download, but normal listening requires a Nintendo Account and a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. Nintendo Music is included with the standard membership; Nintendo’s materials do not identify a separate Nintendo Music subscription or require the Expansion Pack for access. A compatible device is required, but owning a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 is not. Nintendo’s membership and cost guidance sets out the requirement.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is there a separate Nintendo Music fee? | No separate fee is identified; the service is included with a qualifying paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. |
| Is the app free to download? | Yes. Downloading the app does not remove the membership requirement for normal use. |
| Do you need a Nintendo Account? | Yes. |
| Do you need a Switch console? | No. |
| Can you listen offline? | Yes, through downloads in the mobile app. |
Nintendo offers a Switch Online free trial in supported circumstances. Read the terms before starting: the trial automatically converts to a one-month auto-renewing membership at the then-current price unless canceled. The trial is not a permanently free way to keep using Nintendo Music. See Nintendo’s Nintendo Music page for the trial and service conditions.
Where you can listen
- Phones and tablets: The Nintendo Music app is available through the Apple App Store and Google Play. Mobile supports streaming and offline downloads.
- Computers: Open the Nintendo Music web player to browse, play music and organize playlists. The browser does not offer mobile-style offline track downloads, and My Mix is not available there. Nintendo says visitors can preview the library without membership, but playback requires the membership entitlement.
- Cars: Nintendo lists Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. Compatibility and troubleshooting can depend on the phone, vehicle and software; consult Nintendo Music support for platform-specific issues.
Internet access is needed for streaming, and mobile data charges may apply. App, browser and car features are not identical, and compatibility depends on the device and region.
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
What is in the catalog?
Nintendo’s Canada service page listed more than 250 hours of music across more than 130 titles when checked on August 18, 2026. That is a regional, dated snapshot, not a permanent or worldwide catalog guarantee. Nintendo has promoted music from franchises such as Super Mario, Animal Crossing, The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon, spanning classic and modern games. Catalog size and availability can change as releases are added and may vary by region. Check the live catalog information for the market where you use the service.
Features that make it more than a soundtrack list
Search, curated playlists and My Mix
You can search and browse game music, use curated playlists, and create and organize your own playlists. Nintendo also offers My Mix, a playlist generated from Nintendo Switch play history. My Mix is a mobile-app feature, not a web-player feature.
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- 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)
Spoiler prevention
Nintendo lets listeners hide music associated with games they have not finished, helping reduce the chance of encountering tracks tied to later areas, bosses or story events. Treat this as a listening control, not a guarantee that every narrative association or spoiler will be filtered out.
Extend compatible tracks
For certain tracks, an “Extend” option can keep the music playing for 5, 10, 15, 30 or 60 minutes. It is useful for background listening while studying, working or relaxing, but it does not apply to every track or turn a short loop into a new composition.
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- 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
Offline listening on mobile
The mobile app lets you download eligible tracks for offline playback. These are app-based downloads, not ordinary audio files you own or can freely transfer. The available information does not establish exact download-expiration behavior; do not treat downloads as permanent ownership. Storage use depends on what you download and your device.
What Nintendo Switch Online costs in the U.S.
Nintendo Music has no separately itemized music-only price in the sources available. The following are U.S. Nintendo Switch Online prices listed by Nintendo and checked August 18, 2026; prices are country-specific and may change. They buy the broader membership, not a music-only plan.
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- 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.
| Nintendo Switch Online plan | U.S. price |
|---|---|
| Individual, 1 month | $3.99 |
| Individual, 3 months | $7.99 |
| Individual, 12 months | $19.99 |
| Individual + Expansion Pack, 12 months | $49.99 |
| Family, 12 months | $34.99 |
| Family + Expansion Pack, 12 months | $79.99 |
These figures are from Nintendo’s U.S. membership pricing page. The Expansion Pack is not identified as necessary for Nintendo Music; do not pay for it solely to unlock the soundtrack service. For a household, Nintendo says everyone covered by a Family Membership can use Nintendo Music, with up to eight family-group members covered by the plan.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Availability and common access problems
Nintendo Music is not available in every country. Nintendo lists supported regions and notes that availability may expand; check Nintendo’s region list before relying on app-store availability or membership validation. U.S. pricing and a Canada catalog count should not be treated as universal.
If the app says you need to buy a membership despite having one, work through these checks in order:
- Confirm you signed into the Nintendo Account that holds the active Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- Check that the membership is active and that the account’s country or region is supported.
- Update the app or browser, then sign out and sign back in.
- If the issue remains, use Nintendo’s support hub, which includes account-linking, membership-recognition, browser playback and car-integration troubleshooting.
What happens if you cancel?
Canceling Nintendo Switch Online ends the entitlement needed for normal Nintendo Music playback. Some account-management functions may remain available: for example, the App Store release notes for version 1.3.1 said some functions, including playlist deletion, remained available after cancellation. That does not establish that playback, downloads, favorites or all playlists remain accessible. Check Nintendo’s current support guidance for the account functions you need before canceling.
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Is Nintendo Music worth it?
- You already pay for Nintendo Switch Online: It is a useful included benefit if you want Nintendo soundtracks, especially for mobile listening, spoiler controls and extended tracks.
- You want Nintendo music but do not own a Switch: A console is not required, but the paid membership and Nintendo Account still are, and the service must be available in your region.
- You want music from many artists and publishers: Nintendo Music is narrow by design. General services such as Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube Music are broader categories of service; their current pricing and availability should be checked directly.
- You want permanent ownership or a complete archive: Nintendo Music is streaming with app-based offline playback, not a purchase of transferable audio files, and Nintendo does not claim that every soundtrack is included.
The decision is mainly about the bundle: Nintendo Music adds value for existing Switch Online subscribers, but someone buying membership only for music is paying for Nintendo’s wider online service rather than a dedicated music plan.
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.
