Nintendo eShop review

Nintendo eShop ranks ninth. If you play on Nintendo Switch 2 or Switch, it is the only digital source for most first-party games, and Nintendo's US store also sells boxed games, DLC and hardware, with a sales section, a games under $20 collection and free demos for many releases. The optional Nintendo Switch Online membership is the cheapest on this list at $19.99 a year for one account or $34.99 for up to eight accounts, and it adds online play, GameChat, save data cloud and a library of NES, Super NES and Game Boy classics. The Expansion Pack tier, at $49.99 a year, adds GameCube, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance and SEGA Genesis games. The low value score reflects refunds and pricing: Nintendo's support page says it is unable to provide refunds or exchanges for mistaken eShop purchases, and regular prices for recent releases on Nintendo's store run from $39.99 to $69.99. Try the demo first.

Who it is for

Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch owners buying digital first-party games.

Price

Free to shop; Nintendo Switch Online from $19.99 per year.

Individual membership (1 Nintendo account): $19.99 USD/year
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Digital and physical Nintendo games, DLC and hardware
• Sales and deals section and a games under $20 collection
• Free demos for many new releases
• Nintendo Switch Online with online play, GameChat and Nintendo Classics
• Expansion Pack tier adds GameCube, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance and SEGA Genesis games

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The only digital source for many first-party Nintendo games
• Strength: Free demos let you try games before paying
• Strength: Nintendo Switch Online is the cheapest membership on this list
• Weakness: Nintendo says it cannot refund mistaken eShop purchases
• Weakness: Regular prices for recent releases run $39.99 to $69.99
• Weakness: Expansion Pack costs $49.99 a year for an individual

Key facts

• Nintendo Switch Online: $19.99 per year individual, $34.99 family
• Expansion Pack: $49.99 per year individual, $79.99 family
• Free trial: 7 days for Nintendo Switch Online
• Family plan: Up to 8 Nintendo accounts
• Refunds: No refunds or exchanges for mistaken purchases

Where it ranks

Nintendo eShop is No. 9 in our Best Places to Buy Video Games verdict.