For one Nintendo Account that only needs online play, the standard Individual plan costs $19.99 for 12 months in the United States. Choose the standard Family plan at $34.99 when two or more people in the same Nintendo Account family group need coverage. Choose an Expansion Pack plan only when you want its additional classic-game libraries or included access to selected downloadable content (DLC). Expansion Pack costs $49.99 per year for one account or $79.99 for a family group of up to eight accounts.
Nintendo’s prices and features below are the U.S. listings reviewed October 13, 2026. Prices, catalogs, trial terms and availability can differ by country and can change, so check the Nintendo eShop or Nintendo Support page for your region before purchasing.
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Nintendo Switch Online plans at a glance
| Plan | Term | U.S. price | Coverage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Online Individual | 1 month | $3.99 | One Nintendo Account | A short commitment or temporary need |
| Nintendo Switch Online Individual | 3 months | $7.99 | One Nintendo Account | Several months of online play |
| Nintendo Switch Online Individual | 12 months | $19.99 | One Nintendo Account | One player who needs the standard service all year |
| Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Individual | 12 months | $49.99 | One Nintendo Account | One player who wants the expanded classic catalog or selected DLC |
| Nintendo Switch Online Family | 12 months | $34.99 | Up to eight accounts in the purchaser’s family group | Two or more accounts using standard benefits |
| Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Family | 12 months | $79.99 | Up to eight accounts in the purchaser’s family group | Several accounts needing Expansion Pack benefits |
The family plans cover accounts, not a particular console. A member can use the service on a different Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED or Switch 2, provided that account remains in the purchaser’s Nintendo Account family group.
What every standard Nintendo Switch Online membership includes
The standard tier is the basic online-service requirement for many Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 games. Nintendo says a membership is required for online co-op and competitive features in many first- and third-party titles, including Mario Kart World, Splatoon 3, Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The exact requirement is game-specific.
#1 Best Overall
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- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
- Online multiplayer: Play supported modes over the internet. Local multiplayer and single-player modes do not generally require a membership.
- Switch 2 GameChat: Nintendo lists GameChat among standard membership benefits on Switch 2.
- Nintendo Switch App voice chat: The app provides voice-chat features for compatible games; Nintendo identifies this service as intended for users age 13 and older.
- Game-specific app services: Some supported games use companion functions in the Nintendo Switch App.
- Nintendo Classics: Standard membership includes the NES, Super NES and Game Boy libraries that Nintendo makes available through its Classics applications.
- Cloud save backup: Compatible games can back up save data to Nintendo’s cloud service, helping recover progress after a console problem or when moving to another console. Compatibility is determined by each game.
- Special offers: Nintendo includes member-only offers, which can vary over time.
A small number of games permit online play without a membership. Nintendo’s support FAQ gives Fortnite as an example. Do not assume that exception applies to another title: check the game’s Nintendo eShop listing or product information for its current online-service requirement.
What Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack adds
Expansion Pack includes everything in standard Nintendo Switch Online, then adds larger retro-game libraries and access to selected DLC at no additional charge while the membership is active and the applicable terms are met.
Additional classic-game libraries
Nintendo’s comparison lists these Expansion Pack libraries:
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- Nintendo 64
- SEGA Genesis
- Game Boy Advance
- Nintendo GameCube, available on Switch 2 only
- Virtual Boy
The available games inside each application can change as Nintendo adds titles or changes regional availability. The GameCube qualification is important: buying Expansion Pack does not make GameCube applications available on a regular Switch, Switch Lite or Switch OLED.
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- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Selected downloadable content
Nintendo’s FAQ describes access to selected DLC and names Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass and Splatoon 2 – Octo Expansion as examples. This benefit is access under the membership’s terms, not a guarantee that every DLC pack is included or that you permanently own the content. Check the current listing for a specific DLC before relying on it, particularly if you expect to keep using it after the membership ends.
How to choose between Individual and Family
Choose Individual when one account needs coverage
An Individual membership is attached to one Nintendo Account. It is the straightforward choice when only one person will use online multiplayer, cloud saves, Nintendo Classics and the other standard benefits. The 12-month option costs $19.99; the one-month and three-month options cost $3.99 and $7.99 when you need a shorter term.
Choose Family when two or more accounts need standard benefits
The standard Family plan costs $34.99 for 12 months and covers as many as eight accounts in the purchaser’s Nintendo Account family group. Two annual Individual memberships would cost $39.98, so the Family plan is already cheaper at two covered accounts. With eight accounts, the listed annual cost averages $4.37 per account, although the accounts must remain in the same family group.
Family coverage is account-based rather than console-based. People can use different consoles, and they do not have to share a home. However, simply signing into the same console does not cover an account that is outside the purchaser’s family group.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Choose Expansion Pack Individual when one player will use the additions
Expansion Pack Individual is $49.99 for 12 months. It makes sense when one account will actually use the N64, Genesis, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Boy or eligible DLC benefits. If that account only needs online multiplayer and cloud saves, the $19.99 standard Individual plan is the less expensive match.
Choose Expansion Pack Family when several accounts want the expanded catalog
Expansion Pack Family costs $79.99 for 12 months and covers up to eight accounts. Two Expansion Pack Individual memberships would cost $99.98, so the family option saves $19.99 at two accounts and has a lower per-account cost as more members use it. Every covered user must be in the purchaser’s family group; the plan does not combine unrelated accounts merely because they use the same console.
Family-group rules that can affect your decision
- The purchaser can be any family-group member who is at least 18 years old; Nintendo says the purchaser does not have to be the family-group administrator.
- If the purchaser leaves the family group, the other members lose service access until another arrangement covers them.
- Accounts with different country settings can share a family plan, but Nintendo warns that feature availability varies by country.
- The service follows the Nintendo Account, so moving from one console to another does not itself remove coverage.
- Family membership time does not combine with Individual membership time. If accounts already have different memberships, review Nintendo’s account-specific rules before buying more time.
Can you play Nintendo Switch games online without subscribing?
Sometimes. Nintendo says a small number of titles support online play without Nintendo Switch Online, with Fortnite given as an example in its FAQ. Many other games require an active membership for online co-op or competitive modes, including the Nintendo examples listed earlier. A game can also have a mixture of free and membership-required features.
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- Look for the online-play requirement and whether it specifies Nintendo Switch Online.
- Check the page again if the game has received a major update, because service requirements and features can change.
Do not buy a membership solely because a game has an online mode; verify that the particular mode you intend to use is covered by Nintendo’s requirement.
Rank #4
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- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
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Membership terms, renewal and changing plans
Available terms
Standard Individual is available for one, three or 12 months. Expansion Pack Individual, standard Family and Expansion Pack Family are offered only as 12-month memberships. Nintendo says memberships of the same type can extend total time up to three years.
Automatic renewal
Nintendo’s renewal setting adjusts to the most recently purchased membership. If you change from a monthly term to an annual term, or move between standard and Expansion Pack, open your Nintendo Account’s membership settings and verify the automatic-renewal choice rather than assuming the previous setting still reflects your intention.
Moving from standard to Expansion Pack
Nintendo allows a customer to move from a standard membership to Expansion Pack and receive a discount based on remaining membership days, subject to Nintendo’s plan rules. The exact amount depends on the account and remaining time, so review the confirmation screen before accepting the change.
Moving down from Expansion Pack
An active Expansion Pack membership cannot be changed immediately to standard. Nintendo’s FAQ says you can choose another plan once the current Expansion Pack term ends. Plan around the end date if you know you will not need the extra libraries or DLC.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Seven-day trial: what it does and does not test
Nintendo offers a seven-day free trial for standard Nintendo Switch Online. The trial does not include content exclusive to Expansion Pack, so it cannot be used to evaluate the expanded classic libraries or Expansion Pack DLC access. Confirm the trial’s eligibility and renewal settings on your account before starting it, especially if you do not want a paid membership afterward.
How to buy and activate a membership
- Identify the accounts first. Decide whether one account needs coverage or whether several accounts belong in the same Nintendo Account family group.
- Pick the tier. Select standard or Expansion Pack based on the game requirement and whether you will use the added libraries or DLC.
- Pick the term. Standard Individual supports one, three or 12 months; the other listed plans require 12 months.
- Purchase through an official channel. Nintendo sells memberships through Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Store, and download codes are available from select retailers. Match the code’s country, plan type and term to your account.
- Confirm the account and family group. For a Family plan, verify every intended user appears in the purchaser’s family group before completing the purchase.
- Review renewal. Check the automatic-renewal setting and the membership end date in the Nintendo Account settings.
- Test the intended feature. Launch the game or Classics application with the covered account. If online play is blocked, confirm that the game requires membership and that the correct Nintendo Account is signed in.
Common problems and fixes
A second user on the same console cannot play online
Being on the same console does not automatically share an Individual membership. Confirm that the second account is in the purchaser’s family group and that the purchaser bought a Family plan. If the account is not in that group, it needs its own membership or an invitation to the correct family group.
A family member lost access unexpectedly
Check whether the purchaser left the family group or whether the membership term ended. Nintendo says all other members lose service access when the purchaser leaves, even if those users remain in the group. A new purchaser or an Individual membership may be required.
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The expected retro library is missing
Verify that the account has Expansion Pack rather than standard membership, then check the console qualification. GameCube access is listed for Switch 2 only. Also confirm the Nintendo Account’s country setting and the current regional catalog.
DLC works now but the membership is ending
Review the specific DLC’s current terms before the end date. Nintendo’s general FAQ names selected examples but does not promise identical post-membership treatment for every DLC. Purchase the DLC separately if continued access is important and that option is offered for the title.
Online play still asks for a membership
Make sure the game is using the account that owns the membership, check the game’s eShop requirement, and confirm the membership has not expired. Some free-to-play or otherwise exempt titles may work without a membership, while another title on the same console may still require one.
Quick Recap
A practical decision checklist
- One account, standard online play: standard Individual, usually the 12-month $19.99 option.
- One account, short-term need: standard Individual for one month at $3.99 or three months at $7.99.
- Two to eight accounts, no Expansion Pack catalog needed: standard Family at $34.99 per year.
- One account that wants the added libraries or listed DLC: Expansion Pack Individual at $49.99 per year.
- Two to eight accounts that want those additions: Expansion Pack Family at $79.99 per year.
- A game that explicitly supports online play without membership: test that game first; a subscription may not be necessary for the feature you care about.
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.
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