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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →For one player who wants online play, cloud saves for compatible games and Nintendo’s NES, Super NES and Game Boy libraries, the standard Nintendo Switch Online plan is the lower-cost starting point. Expansion Pack is worth considering if you expect to use its additional classic-game libraries or included DLC. Its GameCube Classics and certain upgrade packs add value specifically for Switch 2 owners.
The right plan also depends on how many Nintendo Accounts need access. Nintendo’s U.S. prices, checked October 5, 2026, range from $19.99 to $79.99 per year; prices and availability can differ by country.
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Nintendo Switch Online plans and U.S. prices
Nintendo lists four annual memberships. The Family options cover up to eight Nintendo Accounts, while Individual plans cover one account.
| Plan | U.S. annual price | Accounts | Best starting point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Online Individual | $19.99 | 1 | One player who wants the standard online and classic-game benefits |
| Nintendo Switch Online Family | $34.99 | Up to 8 | Multiple accounts that need the standard-tier benefits |
| Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Individual | $49.99 | 1 | One player who will use the extra libraries or included content |
| Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Family | $79.99 | Up to 8 | Multiple accounts that will use the expanded benefits |
These are Nintendo’s listed U.S. prices, checked October 5, 2026; the pricing pages do not state a publication date. Nintendo also lists standard Individual memberships at $3.99 for one month or $7.99 for three months. Those shorter options are not listed for Expansion Pack. Check your local Nintendo store for prices and available membership durations in your country. Nintendo’s plan comparison and U.S. pricing support page have the current details.
#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 both membership tiers include
Both standard Nintendo Switch Online and Expansion Pack include the standard benefits. The exact features depend on game compatibility and, for some services, your device and account.
- Online multiplayer for supported games.
- Save Data Cloud backup for supported games; it is not available for every game.
- Nintendo Classics libraries with selected NES, Super NES and Game Boy games.
- Nintendo Music app access, subject to the app’s device and account requirements.
- Member offers.
- GameChat on Switch 2. GameChat is a Switch 2 feature; it is included for members of either tier, not a Switch 1 benefit.
See Nintendo’s comparison of membership plans for the official feature list and compatibility details.
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*
What Expansion Pack adds
Expansion Pack includes the standard benefits and adds access to selected game libraries and content. It does not make every Nintendo game or every DLC pack free.
More classic-game libraries
Expansion Pack adds selected Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, Virtual Boy and SEGA Genesis games. On Switch 2, the expanded collection also includes GameCube Classics. The value is therefore tied to whether you want to play the available titles, rather than simply the number of libraries listed.
Rank #3
![Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack 12-month Family Membership – [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/4167UlUf-SL._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*
Selected DLC and Switch 2 Edition upgrade packs
Nintendo includes access to selected paid DLC, including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise and Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion. You need to own the relevant base game separately. Access to included DLC pauses if the membership lapses, so treat it as membership access rather than permanent ownership.
On Switch 2, Expansion Pack also includes the listed upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The underlying games are required. Nintendo’s Expansion Pack details list included libraries, DLC and platform-specific features.
Rank #4
![Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership 12 Month - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41npXXvyKLL._SL160_.jpg)
- Online Play – Battle it out or cooperate with players online in compatible games like Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Invite friends to your in-game island or visit theirs in Animal Crossing: New Horizons!
- NES and Super NES - Nintendo Switch Online – 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. With the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app, you can also voice chat during your play sessions in compatible games.
- Access a collection of Game Boy games to play anytime, anywhere! Face off against Wario in Super Mario Land 2 - 6 Golden Coins and thwart an intergalactic menace in Metroid II - Return of Samus as you revisit (or discover) these classics games.
- Save Data Cloud* – 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.
- Smartphone app – Enhance your online experience with the Nintendo Switch Online app. For example, you can use voice chat with players in compatible games. In addition, the app gives players of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Splatoon 2 access to special game-enhancing features.
How Switch 2 changes the choice
You can purchase either membership on Switch or Switch 2, but not every benefit works on both systems. GameCube Classics and the specified Switch 2 Edition upgrade packs require Switch 2. GameChat is also a Switch 2 feature and is available to members of either tier. If you own only a Switch, do not count the Switch 2-specific additions as value you can use now.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteNintendo says Switch 2 owners can purchase an optional GameCube controller for the GameCube Classics collection, subject to availability. Virtual Boy games require an additional accessory; Nintendo’s cited service page does not establish its precise model or current availability. Neither accessory is required to buy the membership. Check Nintendo’s Expansion Pack page for current accessory information.
Best Value
- 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.
- Redemption: Online
When a Family plan is cheaper
Nintendo Family Membership covers up to eight Nintendo Accounts. At full use, the listed U.S. annual prices work out to about $4.37 per account for standard Family ($34.99 divided by eight) and about $10 per account for Expansion Pack Family ($79.99 divided by eight). These are calculations from Nintendo’s listed prices, not separate per-account prices.
If fewer than eight people will use the membership, divide the annual plan price by the number of actual users to compare it fairly with Individual memberships. Check Nintendo’s current account terms for the requirements that apply to your household. Nintendo’s service overview gives the Family account limit.
Trial, renewal and upgrading
Nintendo advertises a seven-day free trial of standard Nintendo Switch Online. The trial is not available for Expansion Pack and cannot be used by Nintendo Accounts with an active Individual or Family membership. It converts to a paid, one-month auto-renewing membership at the then-current price unless you turn off automatic renewal before the trial ends. Read the current terms on Nintendo’s plan comparison page before starting.
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If you already have standard membership, Nintendo says you can switch to Expansion Pack through Nintendo eShop or Nintendo Account settings. The upgrade receives a prorated discount based on the remaining membership time. The price shown for your account is the amount to rely on; an individual upgrade cost cannot be determined from the annual plan prices alone.
Which plan should you choose?
- Choose standard Individual if one account needs supported online play, cloud saves for compatible games or the base classic libraries, and you do not expect to use Expansion Pack content.
- Choose standard Family if multiple accounts need those same base benefits. Its per-account cost improves as more people use the plan.
- Consider Expansion Pack Individual if one account will play the additional classic libraries or use the included DLC. Switch 2 owners have more platform-specific additions to consider.
- Consider Expansion Pack Family if multiple accounts will actually use the expanded libraries or included content. Its value depends on the number of active users, not just the eight-account maximum.
Before choosing, weigh the annual price against the number of accounts, your interest in supported online play and the base libraries, whether you want Expansion Pack’s selected additions, and whether you own Switch 2 for its specific benefits. There is no universal best tier: the deciding factor is which included features your household will use.
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.
