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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The differences come down to two separate choices: Individual or Family decides which Nintendo Accounts are covered, while standard or + Expansion Pack decides which benefits they receive. In the US, annual prices range from $19.99 for standard Individual to $79.99 for Expansion Pack Family; the pricier tier adds more classic-game libraries and selected DLC or upgrade packs.
What are the four membership options?
Nintendo Switch Online offers two account-coverage options and two benefit tiers. You can choose Individual or Family at either the standard level or the + Expansion Pack level.
| Membership | US price | Accounts covered | What it includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Individual | $3.99/month, $7.99/3 months, or $19.99/12 months | One Nintendo Account | Standard Nintendo Switch Online benefits |
| Standard Family | $34.99/12 months | Up to eight accounts in the purchaser’s Nintendo Account family group | Standard benefits for covered accounts |
| Expansion Pack Individual | $49.99/12 months | One Nintendo Account | Standard benefits plus additional classic-game libraries and selected DLC or upgrade packs |
| Expansion Pack Family | $79.99/12 months | Up to eight accounts in the purchaser’s Nintendo Account family group | Expansion Pack benefits for covered accounts |
These are Nintendo’s listed US prices in USD, from its current support table as of October 8, 2026. Prices and available membership durations vary by country; check your local Nintendo store for your region. Nintendo Support’s US pricing table
What does standard Nintendo Switch Online include?
Both standard plans include online multiplayer in compatible games, supported Save Data Cloud backups, special offers, and access to Nintendo Classics libraries for NES, Super NES, and Game Boy. Nintendo also lists GameChat with every paid membership type, but GameChat is a Switch 2 feature. Nintendo’s membership feature comparison
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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.
Cloud backups are supported only for compatible games, so a subscription does not guarantee cloud-save support for every title. The listed benefits attach to covered Nintendo Accounts, not simply to one console.
What does + Expansion Pack add?
Expansion Pack includes the standard benefits and adds more retro-game libraries: Nintendo 64, SEGA Genesis, Game Boy Advance, and Virtual Boy. It also includes Nintendo GameCube Classics, but that library is available only on Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo’s overview describes the additional game libraries and bundled content. Nintendo Switch Online overview
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*
The plan also provides access to selected downloadable content and selected Switch 2 upgrade packs at no additional charge while an eligible membership is active. This does not make every game or DLC free: you may still need to own the full game, and a physical or digital game may be required for an upgrade pack. Check the requirements for the specific content you want before subscribing.
What is the difference between Individual and Family?
Individual membership covers the Nintendo Account that purchases it. Family membership covers the accounts in the purchaser’s Nintendo Account family group, up to eight users total. Nintendo says the service applies to those accounts, allowing covered members to use it on their own compatible systems. Nintendo Support: Family membership information
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![$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.
Having multiple profiles on one console does not automatically cover every profile. Each account needs its own Individual membership or coverage through a Family membership. Nintendo’s exact description is that a Family membership provides the service to “everyone in the purchaser’s Nintendo Account family group (up to 8 Nintendo Account users).” Nintendo Support: “Information About Nintendo Switch Online Family Memberships”
When does Family cost less per person?
At the maximum of eight covered accounts, the $34.99 standard Family plan works out to about $4.37 per person for a year, and the $79.99 Expansion Pack Family plan works out to $10 per person. Those are calculations using Nintendo’s US prices and the eight-account limit, not per-person prices charged by Nintendo. With fewer members, divide the annual price by the number of accounts that will actually use it to compare against Individual.
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![$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.
How long do memberships last?
Family memberships are offered for 12 months only. Individual memberships are available for one, three, or 12 months. Nintendo says Individual and Family membership time does not combine; someone currently covered by a Family membership cannot buy or redeem an Individual membership code until that coverage changes. Nintendo Switch Online service FAQ
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which membership should you choose?
- Standard Individual: One account needs online play, supported cloud saves, and the NES, Super NES, and Game Boy libraries, without paying for Expansion Pack additions.
- Standard Family: More than one account in your family group needs those standard benefits. Compare the annual price with the number of people who will use it.
- Expansion Pack Individual: One account wants the extra classic libraries or access to selected included DLC or upgrade packs.
- Expansion Pack Family: Several covered accounts want Expansion Pack benefits.
Before choosing Expansion Pack, check whether the content you want requires Switch 2. GameCube Classics and selected Switch 2 upgrade packs are platform-specific, while GameChat is listed with all paid memberships but also requires Switch 2. If your main reason for upgrading is bundled DLC, confirm you own any required full game.
Can you upgrade, try the service, or turn off renewal?
Upgrading an active membership
Nintendo allows a standard Individual membership to change to Individual or Family Expansion Pack, and a standard Family membership to change to Family Expansion Pack. The upgrade price is discounted according to the remaining days in the current membership. An active Expansion Pack membership cannot be changed down to standard before its current term ends. Nintendo’s membership and billing FAQ
Free trial and automatic renewal
Nintendo’s seven-day free trial is for the standard service and does not include Expansion Pack content. Unless automatic renewal is turned off by the end of the trial, it converts to a one-month auto-renewing membership at the then-current price. Paid memberships also renew automatically unless renewal is disabled. Check the current settings and terms in your Nintendo Account before starting a trial or changing a plan.
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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.
