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Nintendo Switch Online vs. Buying Super Mario Games: Which Is Right for You?

Nintendo Switch Online adds compatible online play, supported cloud saves, and selected classic games. Buying a Mario game gets you the specific release you want.
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Choose Nintendo Switch Online for compatible online play, cloud saves for supported games, and access to selected classic Mario titles; buy a full game when you want a particular release such as Super Mario Bros. Wonder. They are not interchangeable: a membership does not give you every Mario game, and buying a game does not provide Nintendo Switch Online benefits.

What you get with Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Switch Online is a paid membership for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 users. Its standard tier includes online play in compatible games, cloud backup for most games, and access to selected NES, Super NES, and Game Boy classics. Cloud saves are not supported for every game, so check a game’s compatibility rather than assuming your save will be backed up. Nintendo also lists Nintendo Music and special offers among the service benefits. Nintendo’s membership page describes the service and its features.

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Membership provides access to a catalog while the service is available; it is not the same as purchasing a specific full game. Nintendo’s service page describes its classic-game offerings as “over 150 favorites” across the service. That is Nintendo’s count for the overall library, not a count of Mario games. Catalog contents can change, so check the current Nintendo list before subscribing for a particular title.

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Which Mario classics are included?

Nintendo names Super Mario All-Stars, Super Mario Kart, and Super Mario World as examples in its Super NES Classics catalog. These are examples of selected older games, not a promise that every Mario release—or every version of a game—is included. See Nintendo’s live catalog for availability in your region and tier.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
Super Mario Odyssey - US Version
  • Explore 3D kingdoms filled with secrets and surprises, including costumes for Mario and several ways to interact with environments
  • Mario's new friend, Cappy, lets you master new moves like cap throw, cap jump and capture
  • Visit astonishing new locales, such as the skyscraper-packed New Donk City, and run into familiar friends and foes as you try to save Princess Peach from Bowser's clutches and foil his dastardly wedding plans
  • Hand a Joy-Con controller to a friend to enjoy simultaneous multiplayer: Player 1 controls Mario while Player 2 controls Mario’s new ally Cappy
  • Unlock even more features with the exclusive new amiibo figures - Mario, Princess Peach and Bowser dressed in their wedding outfits

What buying a Mario game gets you

Buying a full game is the direct choice when you want a named release. For example, if you want to play Super Mario Bros. Wonder, buying that game gives you access to that specific title rather than a subscription catalog that may or may not contain it. Ownership of a game does not add Nintendo Switch Online features: online play still requires membership when the game’s online features require it, and the purchase does not include access to the service’s classic libraries.

Compare the current price of the exact game you want with the membership cost and the other benefits you expect to use. There is no universal break-even point: it depends on the games, how long you play them, and whether you value online play, cloud saves, or other catalog titles.

Rank #2
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe - US Version
  • A variety of playable characters are available, some with unique attributes that affect gameplay and platforming physics.
  • Younger and less-experienced players will love playing as Toadette, who is brand new to both games, and Nabbit, who was formerly only playable in New Super Luigi U. Both characters offer extra assistance during play.
  • Multiplayer sessions are even more fun, frantic, and exciting thanks to entertaining character interactions. Need a boost? Try jumping off a teammate’s head or getting a teammate to throw you.
  • Features a wealth of help features, like a Hints gallery, reference videos, and a Super Guide in New Super Mario Bros. U that can complete levels for you if they’re giving you trouble.
  • Three additional modes—Boost Rush, Challenges, and Coin Battle—mix up gameplay and add replayability, while also upping the difficulty for players who want to try something harder. Players can use their Mii characters in these modes.

U.S. Nintendo Switch Online prices

Nintendo Support lists the following U.S. prices in its pricing table, checked October 7, 2026. Prices vary by country and subscription duration; verify the current price for your account region before buying.

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Plan Duration Listed U.S. price
Standard Individual 1 month $3.99
Standard Individual 3 months $7.99
Standard Individual 12 months $19.99
Standard Family 12 months $34.99
Expansion Pack Individual 12 months $49.99
Expansion Pack Family 12 months $79.99

Family memberships can cover up to eight Nintendo Accounts, according to Nintendo’s membership page. That can matter if several people in a household need membership benefits; it does not turn the subscription into ownership of individual Mario games.

Rank #3
Sale
Super Mario Bros.™ Wonder - Nintendo Switch (US Version)
  • Find wonder in the Flower Kingdom in the next side-scrolling Super Mario adventure
  • Collect Wonder Flowers for surprising, game-changing effects like pipes coming alive, an enemy stampede, and much, much more
  • Choose from the largest cast of characters in a side-scrolling Mario game, including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy and other favorites
  • Ease into the action with four different-colored Yoshis and Nabbit who can’t take damage
  • Discover new power-ups like Elephant Fruit, which transforms Mario and friends into an elephant that can swing its trunk and spray water
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When Expansion Pack makes sense

The Expansion Pack tier adds selected classic-game libraries and includes select paid DLC while the membership is active. Nintendo lists the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass among the included DLC. You must own the full version of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to use that add-on; Expansion Pack does not replace the base game. If the membership lapses, access to DLC supplied through the membership pauses. Check Nintendo’s service details for current included content and conditions.

Consider Expansion Pack if you will use its additional libraries or included DLC enough to justify its higher annual price. If you only want a particular base game, buying that game is the more direct route; if you want the Booster Course Pass benefit, you still need the base game and an active eligible membership.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
Super Mario Odyssey - US Version
Super Mario Odyssey - US Version
Mario's new friend, Cappy, lets you master new moves like cap throw, cap jump and capture
$53.29
SaleBestseller No. 3
Super Mario Bros.™ Wonder - Nintendo Switch (US Version)
Super Mario Bros.™ Wonder - Nintendo Switch (US Version)
Find wonder in the Flower Kingdom in the next side-scrolling Super Mario adventure; Ease into the action with four different-colored Yoshis and Nabbit who can’t take damage
$53.90
SaleBestseller No. 4
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - US Version
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - US Version
Challenge others anytime, anywhere, whether you're on the couch or on the go; Face off in 2-4 player battles, or play against the computer
$52.99
SaleBestseller No. 5
Super Mario Galaxy™ + Super Mario Galaxy™ 2
Super Mario Galaxy™ + Super Mario Galaxy™ 2
Travel the stars with enhanced resolution, improved UI, and additional content; Get additional Health and fall recovery in Assist Mode
$64.99
Best Value
Sale
Super Mario Galaxy™ + Super Mario Galaxy™ 2
  • Journey through space in two Super Mario adventures, now improved for the Nintendo Switch system!
  • Travel the stars with enhanced resolution, improved UI, and additional content
  • Learn more about the Lumas from additional Storybook chapters, groove to a bit of additional music
  • Get additional Health and fall recovery in Assist Mode
  • Join Rosalina and the Lumas to restore the Comet Observatory and rescue Princess Peach in Super Mario Galaxy.
Rank #4
Sale
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - US Version
  • New stages and fighters are joined by the combined rosters of every past Super Smash Bros. Game
  • Challenge others anytime, anywhere, whether you're on the couch or on the go
  • Play any way you want—locally, online, in TV mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode, or even with GameCube Controllers
  • Fight faster and smarter with new and returning techniques, like the perfect shield and directional air dodge
  • Face off in 2-4 player battles, or play against the computer

Choose based on what you actually want to play

Your priority Better fit Why
Online features in a compatible game Standard Nintendo Switch Online Membership supplies online play where the game requires it; buying the game alone does not.
Supported save backups Standard Nintendo Switch Online Cloud backup is available for most, not all, games.
A handful of older Mario games Membership, if they are in the current catalog It provides access to selected classics rather than the full Mario catalog.
A particular modern release Buy the full game You get the title you chose instead of relying on catalog availability.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Base game plus Expansion Pack, if its included DLC suits you The base game is required, and access to membership-included DLC pauses if the membership lapses.
Membership for several accounts Compare a Family plan A Family membership supports up to eight Nintendo Accounts.

A quick decision checklist

  • Write down the exact Mario games you want, then check whether any older title is in Nintendo’s current catalog.
  • If you need online play or cloud saves, confirm that the game supports the relevant feature and whether cloud backup is available for it.
  • If a DLC benefit is the reason to upgrade, check whether you own its base game and understand that membership access can end when the plan lapses.
  • Compare current local membership prices with the price of the specific game or games you plan to play, and account for how many Nintendo Accounts need service.

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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