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Expansion Pack Individual includes the standard Nintendo Switch Online Individual benefits, plus selected classic-game libraries and downloadable content. In the United States, Nintendo lists the 12-month plans at $19.99 and $49.99 respectively—a $30 annual difference. “Individual” describes which accounts are covered; “Expansion Pack” describes the added content tier.
What each Individual plan includes
Both plans cover the Nintendo Account that bought the membership. Standard Individual includes online play in compatible games, cloud backup for compatible games’ save data, and special offers. Expansion Pack Individual includes those standard benefits as well as access to selected classic-game libraries and selected DLC and upgrade packs. Nintendo’s service overview describes the included benefits and catalogs.
| Feature | Individual | Individual + Expansion Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Online play in compatible games | Included | Included |
| Save-data cloud storage for compatible games | Included | Included |
| Special offers | Included | Included |
| Selected classic-game libraries | Standard catalog | Adds selected libraries, including Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and SEGA Genesis; some GameCube content is for Switch 2 only |
| Selected DLC and upgrade packs | Not included with the membership | Available at no additional charge while eligible, subject to Nintendo’s conditions |
| Accounts covered | The purchasing Nintendo Account | The purchasing Nintendo Account |
Included DLC or upgrade content is not necessarily a substitute for the base game: some offers require you to own the related full game. Nintendo’s conditions also require the relevant game version and an active membership for upgrade packs.
How much more does Expansion Pack cost?
Nintendo’s US price table lists the following prices. Prices vary by country and membership duration; these figures are not worldwide prices. See Nintendo Support’s membership pricing.
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![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.
| US membership option | 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 |
The $30 difference between the two 12-month Individual plans is calculated from Nintendo’s listed US prices. If you are outside the United States, check the price shown for your country and account.
Individual is account coverage; Expansion Pack is the content tier
The names describe two different choices. Individual means the membership applies to the Nintendo Account that purchased it. Expansion Pack means the plan adds selected libraries and content to the standard service. An Expansion Pack Individual plan still covers one purchasing account; it does not mean a group plan.
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*
Nintendo also offers Family memberships for up to eight Nintendo Accounts in a family group. Its US 12-month prices are $34.99 for standard Family and $79.99 for Family + Expansion Pack. If all eight accounts use the membership, those prices work out to about $4.37 and $10 per account per year, respectively. Those are calculations from Nintendo’s prices, not per-account prices Nintendo charges.
Can you upgrade or switch back?
Nintendo says an eligible current standard Individual member who changes to an Expansion Pack plan receives a discount based on the remaining days of the existing membership, up to the price of the new membership. The available offer depends on the account’s current plan, so check the price displayed for your Nintendo Account rather than assuming the full listed price or a particular discount.
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Rank #3
![$20 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41XOVFRcBIL._SL160_.jpg)
- This item can be redeemed on eShop only. This item cannot be redeemed on the Wii Shop
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch, Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Nintendo eShop Digital Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
An active Expansion Pack membership cannot be changed back to standard Individual mid-term. Once it ends, you can choose a plan. Nintendo’s membership FAQ explains plan changes and eligibility.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which plan makes sense for one person?
Choose standard Individual if
- You mainly want standard online-service benefits such as compatible games’ online play and save-data cloud storage.
- You do not expect to use the additional classic-game libraries or included content enough to justify the higher annual price.
Consider Expansion Pack Individual if
- You expect to play games in the added classic-game libraries.
- You will use one or more of the selected DLC or upgrade packs and meet their ownership and membership conditions.
The practical comparison is the extra $30 per year in US 12-month pricing against the particular added games or content you will use. If a Family membership suits your group, compare that option separately: it covers up to eight accounts and changes the per-person arithmetic.
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Rank #4
![$50 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51klpGvEKML._SL160_.jpg)
- This item can be redeemed on eShop only. This item cannot be redeemed on the Wii Shop
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch, Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Nintendo eShop Digital Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
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.
