Nintendo Switch Online review

Nintendo Switch Online is the cheapest verified subscription on this list and the only way to play online on a Switch or Switch 2. The individual membership is $19.99 a year and the family membership covers up to 8 Nintendo accounts for $34.99 a year, which Nintendo says is less than $5 per person. It includes online play in compatible games, GameChat on Switch 2, save data cloud, special offers and the Nintendo Classics library of NES, Super NES and Game Boy titles. The Expansion Pack tier, at $49.99 a year individual or $79.99 family, adds Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, SEGA Genesis and Virtual Boy games, GameCube games on Switch 2, and select upgrade packs and DLC. The catch is that the library is classic games: current Switch releases are not included the way new games are on Game Pass. A 7-day free trial is available for the individual plan.

Who it is for

Switch and Switch 2 owners on a budget

Price

$19.99 per year individual; Expansion Pack from $49.99 per year.

Individual membership (1 Nintendo account): $19.99 USD/year
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Online play in compatible games and GameChat on Switch 2
• Nintendo Classics library of NES, Super NES and Game Boy titles
• Expansion Pack adds GameCube, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance and SEGA Genesis games
• Expansion Pack includes select Switch 2 upgrade packs and DLC
• Family membership covers up to 8 Nintendo accounts

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Cheapest verified price on this list at $19.99 a year
• Strength: Family plan for 8 accounts at $34.99 a year
• Strength: Free 7-day trial of the individual membership
• Weakness: No monthly plan is listed on the overview page
• Weakness: Library is classic games, not current Switch releases
• Weakness: GameCube games are only on Switch 2

Key facts

• Individual: $19.99 a year
• Family: $34.99 a year for up to 8 accounts
• Expansion Pack: $49.99 a year individual, $79.99 family
• Free trial: 7 days, individual membership
• Classic systems: NES, Super NES, Game Boy; more with Expansion Pack

Where it ranks

Nintendo Switch Online is No. 4 in our Best Game Subscription Services verdict.