Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack is a paid tier above the base subscription
Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack is the higher-cost version of Nintendo's online service. It includes everything in the base Nintendo Switch Online subscription — online multiplayer, cloud saves, access to NES and SNES games — plus Nintendo 64 games, Sega Genesis games, and the ability to play Game Boy Advance titles. You pay more per month or year than the standard subscription, and you can only get it by upgrading from or switching to the Expansion Pack tier.
Nintendo offers the Expansion Pack as a monthly or annual plan. The monthly cost is higher per month than paying annually, so if you plan to keep the service for a full year, the annual plan saves money. You can cancel or downgrade to the base subscription at any time, though Nintendo does not refund partial months or years.
The service works on any Nintendo Switch console linked to your account — original model, Switch Lite, or Switch OLED. You do not need to own the individual games; the subscription gives you access to the entire library of included titles as long as your membership is active.
Key Takeaways
- Expansion Pack adds Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, and Game Boy Advance games to your subscription library beyond what the base tier includes.
- Monthly and annual payment options are available; annual plans cost less per month but require upfront payment for twelve months.
- You can upgrade from base Nintendo Switch Online to Expansion Pack at any time, and Nintendo will credit any remaining time on your base subscription toward the upgrade.
- The service is tied to your Nintendo account, not to a specific console, so you can play on any Switch you own or that has your account on it.
- Canceling or downgrading removes your access to Expansion Pack games immediately, though you keep your save data if you resubscribe later.
What games come with Expansion Pack
The Expansion Pack includes a rotating library of games from Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, and Game Boy Advance. Nintendo adds new titles periodically and occasionally removes others, so the full list changes over time. The library is not the same as owning the games; you can only play them while your subscription is active.
Nintendo 64 titles in the library have included games like Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart 64, and GoldenEye 007. Sega Genesis games have included Sonic the Hedgehog, Altered Beast, and Phantasy Star. Game Boy Advance games have included The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, Metroid Fusion, and Fire Emblem. You can check the full current list on the Nintendo eShop under the Expansion Pack section.
The base Nintendo Switch Online subscription includes NES and SNES games separately, so if you upgrade to Expansion Pack, you keep access to those libraries as well. You do not lose anything by upgrading; you only gain the additional systems.
Monthly versus annual payment plans
Nintendo offers two ways to pay for Expansion Pack: month-to-month or a full year upfront. The monthly plan charges you every 30 days and can be canceled anytime without penalty. The annual plan requires payment for all twelve months at once but costs less per month when you divide the total by twelve.
If you are unsure whether you will use the service for a full year, the monthly plan lets you stop without losing money to unused months. If you know you will keep it active, the annual plan is cheaper overall. You can switch between monthly and annual at any renewal date; Nintendo will not let you change mid-cycle, but you can choose a different plan when your current one expires.
If you upgrade from base Nintendo Switch Online to Expansion Pack mid-month or mid-year, Nintendo credits the remaining time on your base subscription toward the Expansion Pack cost. The exact credit depends on how much time was left on your base plan.
How to upgrade from base Nintendo Switch Online
To upgrade to Expansion Pack, go to the Nintendo eShop on your Switch console. Select your profile icon in the top right, then choose "Nintendo Switch Online." You will see options for the base subscription and the Expansion Pack. Select Expansion Pack and choose your payment plan — monthly or annual. Confirm your purchase, and the upgrade takes effect immediately.
You can also upgrade through the Nintendo website on a computer or phone. Log into your Nintendo account, go to your account settings, find the subscription section, and select the option to change or upgrade your plan. The process is the same: choose Expansion Pack and your payment frequency.
If you do not yet have any Nintendo Switch Online subscription, you can purchase Expansion Pack directly without buying the base tier first. Expansion Pack includes all base features, so there is no need to buy both.
What happens if you cancel or let it expire
When your Expansion Pack subscription ends — either because you canceled it or because your payment period ran out and you did not renew — you lose access to Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, and Game Boy Advance games immediately. You cannot play them, and you cannot download them to your console. Your save data for those games is stored by Nintendo and will return if you resubscribe later.
If you downgrade to the base Nintendo Switch Online subscription instead of canceling entirely, you keep online multiplayer, cloud saves, and access to NES and SNES games. You simply lose the additional systems that come with Expansion Pack.
Nintendo does not refund unused portions of a subscription period. If you pay for a full year and cancel after six months, you do not receive a refund for the remaining six months. Some payment methods or regions may have different refund policies; check your local consumer protection laws or contact Nintendo Support for details specific to your situation.
Expansion Pack versus buying games individually
Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Advance games are not sold individually on the eShop; they are only available through the Expansion Pack subscription. Sega Genesis games can sometimes be purchased as standalone titles, but the Expansion Pack gives you access to a larger library of them without buying each one separately.
If you want to own NES or SNES games permanently, you can buy them individually on the eShop. With Expansion Pack, you get a library of both systems included, but you lose access if you cancel. The choice depends on whether you want to own specific games or prefer the variety of a subscription library.
For players who want to try many older games without committing to purchases, Expansion Pack is usually cheaper than buying several games individually. For players who want to own a few specific titles permanently, individual purchases may make more sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Expansion Pack on multiple consoles?
Yes. Your Nintendo account can be linked to multiple Switch consoles. On any console where your account is set as the primary account, anyone using that console can play Expansion Pack games. On consoles where your account is not primary, only you can play them. Your subscription follows your account, not the hardware.
Do I need Expansion Pack to play online multiplayer?
No. Online multiplayer is included in the base Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Expansion Pack adds retro game libraries and Game Boy Advance titles, but the base tier covers online play for current Nintendo Switch games.
What if I have a family plan instead of an individual subscription?
Nintendo Switch Online Family Plan members can upgrade to Expansion Pack as a family. The upgrade applies to all accounts on the family plan, and everyone gets access to the same retro game libraries. You cannot upgrade just one family member's account to Expansion Pack while keeping others on the base tier.
Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?
Nintendo does not offer a pause or freeze option. You can cancel and resubscribe later, but you cannot temporarily stop your subscription while keeping your account active. Your save data is preserved if you resubscribe within a reasonable time.
Are the games on Expansion Pack the same versions as the original cartridges?
The games are emulated versions designed to run on the Switch. They include the original gameplay and content, though Nintendo has made minor changes to some titles — for example, adding online multiplayer to games that originally had none. The experience is close to the original, but not identical.