Nintendo’s public explanation was that its paid Switch service would bundle online play with classic games and other membership benefits—not that it was charging only for access to multiplayer. The service launched on September 18, 2018, ending free online play for features that required membership. Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima had earlier described the goal as offering online services and content at a price customers would accept. That explains Nintendo’s stated rationale, not every internal reason behind the decision.
What Nintendo said the fee was for
In its May 2018 launch announcement, Nintendo presented the upcoming membership as a package. It listed online play, classic NES games with added online functionality, save-data backups for compatible games, and a companion app for selected titles. The company also made the policy change explicit: online play would no longer be free once the paid service began.
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The service launched on September 18, 2018. Nintendo’s public framing was therefore that payment covered a broader membership offering alongside online play. The announcement describes the benefits Nintendo chose to offer; it does not disclose all of the company’s internal financial or strategic reasoning. Nintendo’s 2018 announcement
How Nintendo described its pricing goal
In a 2017 interview with TIME, then-Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima discussed a planned annual range of 2,000–3,000 yen. That was a pre-launch price range, not a current price. He said, “We are really dedicated to bringing our online business to the consumer at that price point.” Kimishima also described the question as one of providing content at a price consumers would be happy to pay. TIME’s interview with Kimishima
#1 Best Overall
![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.
What Nintendo Switch Online includes now
The membership has expanded since the launch package. Nintendo’s U.S. overview currently lists compatible online play, classic game libraries, cloud save backup for compatible games, special offers, and Nintendo Music with standard membership. Expansion Pack adds further classic-game libraries and selected downloadable content or upgrade packs. Catalogs and features can change, and availability may differ by country. Nintendo’s U.S. membership overview
| U.S. plan | Price and term | Account coverage | Notable distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard individual | $19.99 USD per year | One Nintendo Account | Standard membership benefits |
| Standard family | $34.99 USD per year | Up to eight Nintendo Accounts | Standard membership benefits shared across eligible accounts |
| Expansion Pack individual | $49.99 USD per year | One Nintendo Account | Includes additional classic libraries and selected DLC or upgrade packs |
| Expansion Pack family | $79.99 USD per year | Up to eight Nintendo Accounts | Expansion Pack benefits shared across eligible accounts |
These are Nintendo’s U.S. annual prices shown on its service overview as checked October 8, 2026; they are not launch prices and should not be applied to other regions. Nintendo calculates that, if all eight eligible accounts are used, the standard family plan works out to less than $5 per person per year and the Expansion Pack family plan to about $10 per person per year. The per-person figures depend on using the full eight-account allowance.
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*
Do all Switch games require a membership to play online?
No. Nintendo says membership is required for online co-op and competitive features in many Nintendo and third-party games, but some games can be played online without it; Fortnite is one example Nintendo names. Check the specific game’s Nintendo eShop or product listing before subscribing, because the requirement depends on the title and feature. Nintendo Support: online play and membership requirements
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What the explanation means for Switch players
Nintendo’s stated case for charging was a paid membership combining online play with games and other benefits, offered at a price point it believed customers would accept. The current service contains more than the launch-era package, but whether it is worth paying for depends on the particular game you play, whether its online features require membership, and whether you want the included libraries or other benefits.
Quick Recap
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.
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.
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