The Nintendo Switch has its own, paid subscription service which is required for online play.
However, not only does Nintendo Switch Online enable Switch owners to play many games online, membership offers a growing selection of free classic games to download, including Super Mario.
So here’s everything you need to know about Nintendo Switch Online, including the price, family plans and what it has to offer.
Best Nintendo Switch games every gamer must ownBest upcoming Nintendo Switch games to look forward to
squirrel_widget_5717898
What is Nintendo Switch online and what does it do?
Switch Online is Nintendo’s equivalent to PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold. It is a paid subscription service that gives you access to online multiplayer play for many games, plus other benefits and features.
You will need to be a Nintendo Switch Online member to play the vast majority of games online. You will still be able to play games such as Splatoon 2 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in single-player or local multiplayer, but won’t be able to compete against your friends over the internet if you don’t have an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
squirrel_widget_173043
What free games do you get with Switch Online and the Expansion Pack?
Classic NES, SNES, N64 and Sega Genesis / Mega Drive games list
A growing library of Nintendo Entertainment System games are available to play at no extra cost. Classics on offer include Super Mario Bros, Super Mario Bros 3, Donkey Kong and The Legend of Zelda.
Switch Online members also get the chance to play a selection of SNES games. Like the NES library, an increasing selection of Super Nintendo titles, such as Super Mario World and Mario Kart, are available through a free-to-download app. There are more than 100 games on both lists in total.
This effectively turns your Nintendo Switch into a NES Classic Mini or SNES Classic Mini.
From October 2021, the service added classic N64 and, perhaps surprisingly, Sega Mega Drive / Genesis games. However, they are only available as part of an “Expansion Pack” – a more pricey, premium tier.
The Expansion Pack also includes access to some downloadable content at no extra cost, such as the Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise DLC and the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass.
Nintendo Switch Online free classic games list for UK, EU and US (as of 8 July 2022):
NES
Adventures of LoloBalloon FightBaseballBlaster Master (+ SP version)City ConnectionClu Clu LandCrystalisDig-Dug IIDonkey KongDonkey Kong 3Donkey Kong Jr.Double DragonDouble Dragon II: The RevengeDr. Mario (+ SP version)Earthbound BeginningsEliminator Boat DuelExcitebikeFire ‘n IceGhosts’n Goblins (+ SP version)Gradius (+ SP version)Ice ClimberIce HockeyJourney to SiliusKid Icarus (+ SP version)Kirby’s Adventure (+ SP version)Kung-Fu HeroesMappy-LandMario Bros.Metroid (+ SP version)Mighty Bomb Jack (+ SP version)NES Open Tournament GolfNightshadeNinja Gaiden (+ SP version)Ninja JaJaMaru-kunPinballPro WrestlingPunch-Out!!River City RansomRygarS.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack TeamShadow of the NinjaSoccerSolomon’s KeyStar Soldier (+ SP version)Star TropicsSuper Dodge BallSuper Mario Bros. (+SP version)Super Mario Bros. 2Super Mario Bros. 3Super Mario Bros.: The Lost LevelsTecmo BowlTennisThe ImmortalThe Legend of Zelda (+ SP version)TwinBee (+ SP version)Vice: Project DoomVolleyballVs. ExcitebikeWario’s WoodsWrecking CrewYoshiZelda II: The Adventure of Link (+ SP version)
SNES
BombuzalBrawl BrothersBreath of FireBreath of Fire IICaveman Ninja (AKA Joe & Mac)ClaymatesCongo’s CaperDemon’s CrestDonkey Kong CountryDonkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong’s QuestDonkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble!Doomsday WarriorEarthboundEarthworm Jim 2F-ZeroJelly BoyJoe & Mac 2: Lost in the TropicsKirby Super StarKirby’s Dream CourseKirby’s Dream Land 3Operation Logic BombMagical Drop IIMario’s Super PicrossNatsume Championship WrestlingPanel de PonPilotwingsPop’n TwinbeePreshistorik ManPsycho DreamRival Turf!Smash TennisSpanky’s QuestStar FoxStar Fox 2Stunt Race FXSuper Baseball Simulator 1.000Super E.D.F. Earth Defense ForceSuper Ghouls ‘n GhostsSuper Mario All-StarsSuper Mario KartSuper Mario WorldSuper Mario World 2: Yoshi’s IslandSuper MetroidSuper Punch-Out!!Super Puyo Puyo 2Super SoccerSuper TennisSuper Valis IVThe Ignition FactorThe Legend of Zelda: A Link to the PastThe Peace KeepersTuff E NuffWild Guns
N64 (as part of expansion pack)
Banjo-KazooieDr Mario 64F-Zero XKirby 64: The Crystal ShardsMario GolfMario Kart 64Mario TennisPaper MarioPokémon SnapPokémon Puzzle League – coming 15 July 2022Sin & PunishmentStar Fox 64Super Mario 64The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s MaskThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeWinBackYoshi’s Story
Sega Mega Drive / Genesis (as part of expansion pack)
Alien SoldierAltered BeastCastlevania: BloodlinesComix ZoneContra: Hard CorpsDr Robotnik’s Mean Bean MachineDynamite HeaddyEcco the DolphinGolden AxeGunstar HeroesLight CrusaderMega man: The Wily WarsM.U.S.H.A.Phantasy Star IVRistarShining ForceShining Force IIShinobi III: Return of the Ninja MasterSonic the Hedgehog 2Sonic the Hedgehog SpinballSpace Harrier IIStreets of Rage 2StriderSuper Fantasy ZoneSword of VermilionTarget EarthThunder Force IIToe Jam & EarlZero Wing
Other Switch Online member benefits
Cloud saves
Switch Online allows you to store your save games in the cloud, in order to back up your progress. That way, if you do have to wipe your Switch for whatever reason or run out of storage, you will still have a back-up you can download at a later date.
There is a catch though; not all games will save to the cloud. Nintendo blocks some to “ensure fair play”, whatever that means.
Nintendo Switch Online app
A Nintendo Switch Online app is available for iOS and Android, and offers voice chat and multiplayer hubs for supported games.
Member offers
Deals and offers are available for members only. As are the occasional free games beyond those for NES, SNES, N64 and Sega Mega Drive / Genesis.
One UK offer for members is the option to purchase a two game voucher for £84, thereby saving you cash on Nintendo eShop purchases.
Missions & Rewards
Added in March 2022, a Missions & Rewards section of the Nintendo Switch Online hub sets you tasks, such as “play software that suports online play”, or game-specific goals, like “play the NES version of Super Mario Bros”. Each completed mission will earn you Platinum Points that can either be traded for digital items or merchandise on Nintendo’s website (such as themes) or mechandise, or for exclusive icons, frames and backgrounds for your Switch profile picture.
It’s worth noting that Platinum Points are not the same as Gold Points (usually earned when buying games from Nintendo itself) and expire after six months, so don’t forget to spend them.
How much does Nintendo Switch Online cost and is there a family plan?
Switch Online price
The price of Nintendo Switch Online varies depending on whether you like to pay monthly, quarterly or yearly. There is also family membership which includes up to eight Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions. Each different family member can use the full Nintendo Switch Online privileges on different consoles or even the same Switch.
After a one-week free trial period, a standard Nintendo Switch Online subscription will cost the following:
Individual membership
1 month (30 days): £3.49, €3.99, $3.99
3 months (90 days): £6.99, €7.99, $7.99
12 months (365 days): £17.99, €19.99, $19.99
Family membership
12 months (365 days): £31.49, €34.99, $34.99
Switch Online Expansion Pack price
A Switch Online Expansion Pack is required for access to classic N64 and Sega Mega Drive games, plus other benefits (such as the Animal Crossing: New Horizons DLC and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe extra courses for free).
You subscribe to it as in a bundle of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.
Individual membership
12 months (365 days): £34.99, €39.99, $49.99
Family membership
12 months (365 days): £59.99, €69.99, $79.99
How to get Nintendo Switch Online membership
It’s easy to sign up for a Nintendo Switch Online account. Using a web browser, just head here if you are in the UK, or here if you are in the US.
Alternatively, you can sign up on your Switch itself. Head to the eShop icon on the bottom of the main menu screen, open the eShop and you will see “Nintendo Switch Online” as one of the options on the left-hand side. Click on it and it will take you to the membership options screen where you can choose your membership, even start the free trial period.
You will also need a free Nintendo Account though, so if you haven’t got one already, head here: my.nintendo.com.