Nintendo Switch Online is Nintendo's subscription service for online multiplayer, cloud saves, and access to classic games

Nintendo Switch Online lets you play multiplayer games online, back up your save files to the cloud, and play a rotating library of NES and SNES games. There are two tiers: the basic plan and the Expansion Pack. The basic plan covers online play and cloud saves. The Expansion Pack adds Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games, plus DLC for certain titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

You do not need the subscription to play single-player games or to use most apps like Netflix or YouTube. You only need it when you want to play online against other people or use cloud backup.

Key Takeaways

  • Nintendo Switch Online comes in two tiers: a basic plan for online play and cloud saves, and an Expansion Pack that adds retro games and DLC.
  • The subscription covers online multiplayer only — single-player games work without it, and free-to-play games like Fortnite do not require it.
  • You can buy a subscription for one month, three months, or twelve months, and the cost per month drops if you commit to a year.
  • Cloud saves back up your progress automatically, but some games like Pokemon Sword and Shield do not support cloud backup.
  • Family plans let up to eight Nintendo accounts share one subscription on the same console or across multiple consoles.

Basic Plan vs. Expansion Pack: What each tier includes

The basic plan gives you online multiplayer for games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 3, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It also backs up your save files to Nintendo's servers so you do not lose progress if your console breaks or gets stolen. You get access to a small library of NES and SNES games that rotates occasionally — Nintendo adds and removes titles throughout the year.

The Expansion Pack includes everything in the basic plan, plus Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games, and it unlocks DLC packs for specific titles. For example, it gives you the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass and the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise DLC without paying extra. If you own these games and want the DLC, the Expansion Pack can be cheaper than buying the content separately.

The Expansion Pack costs more per month than the basic plan. Whether it makes sense depends on whether you want the retro games and whether you own titles that have DLC included. If you only play online multiplayer and do not care about classic games, the basic plan is all you need.

Pricing and subscription lengths

Nintendo offers three subscription lengths for each tier. A one-month subscription costs the most per month. A three-month subscription is cheaper per month than one month. A twelve-month subscription is the cheapest per month but requires paying upfront for the whole year.

You can also buy a subscription as a gift code from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, or Target. These codes work the same way as buying directly from Nintendo and can be redeemed on any Switch account.

Family plans let up to eight Nintendo accounts share one subscription. All accounts on the same console can use the subscription, and each account can also use it on a different console if they are linked to a Nintendo Network ID. This makes family plans much cheaper per person if multiple people in your household play online.

How cloud saves work and what games do not support them

When you have Nintendo Switch Online, your save files upload to Nintendo's servers automatically. If your console breaks, gets lost, or you buy a new one, you can download your saves to the new console and pick up where you left off. This happens in the background — you do not have to do anything.

Most games support cloud backup, but some do not. Pokemon Sword, Shield, Scarlet, and Violet do not back up to the cloud because Nintendo wanted to prevent cheating in those games. Animal Crossing: New Horizons also does not support cloud saves. If a game does not support cloud backup, you can still play it online with the subscription, but your save file only exists on that one console.

You can manually back up all your saves to a microSD card without a subscription, but that only protects you if you have the card with you. Cloud backup is automatic and works even if you lose the console.

Free-to-play games and what does not require a subscription

Games that are free to download and play — like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Warframe — do not require Nintendo Switch Online to play online. You can download them, play multiplayer, and never pay for a subscription. Nintendo does not charge for online play in free-to-play titles.

Single-player games never require the subscription, even if they are paid games. You can buy The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, play through the entire game offline, and never need Nintendo Switch Online. The subscription only gates online multiplayer in paid games.

Apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu also do not require a subscription. You can stream video on your Switch without paying Nintendo anything extra.

Retro games in the subscription library

Nintendo Switch Online includes a library of classic NES and SNES games. The basic plan has access to these. The Expansion Pack adds Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis titles. The library changes over time — Nintendo adds new games and occasionally removes old ones, though removals are rare.

These are not the full original games in some cases. Some NES and SNES titles have been modified slightly for the Switch version, and online multiplayer was added to games that originally had none. The games run through emulation, which means they are digital recreations rather than the original cartridges.

If you want to own these games permanently rather than access them through a subscription, you can buy individual NES and SNES games separately on the eShop. The subscription is cheaper if you want to play many of them, but you lose access if you cancel.

Canceling and pausing your subscription

You can cancel your subscription at any time through your Nintendo Account settings. If you paid for a month, three months, or a year upfront, you do not get a refund for the unused time — the subscription runs until the end of the period you paid for. After it expires, you will not be charged again unless you manually renew.

Nintendo does not offer a pause feature. If you want to stop paying temporarily, you have to let the subscription expire and then buy a new one later. Your save files stay on Nintendo's servers for a while after your subscription ends, so you can redownload them if you renew within a reasonable timeframe.

If you bought a family plan and want to remove someone from it, you can do that through the family group settings. Removing someone does not refund their portion of the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Nintendo Switch Online to play single-player games?

No. Single-player games work without any subscription. You only need Nintendo Switch Online if you want to play online multiplayer or use cloud saves.

Can I share a family plan subscription across multiple consoles?

Yes. Each account in the family group can use the subscription on a different console if the account is linked to a Nintendo Network ID. All accounts on the same console can also use it. This makes family plans cost-effective for households with multiple Switch owners.

What happens to my save files if I cancel my subscription?

Your cloud saves stay on Nintendo's servers for a period after your subscription ends. If you renew within that window, you can download them again. If you let too much time pass, Nintendo may delete them. You can always manually back up saves to a microSD card to keep them permanently.

Are the retro games in the subscription the same as the originals?

Mostly, but not exactly. Some NES and SNES games have been modified slightly, and online multiplayer was added to games that originally had none. They run through emulation rather than original hardware, so the experience is close but not identical.

Can I buy just the DLC without the Expansion Pack?

Yes. DLC like the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass and Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise can be bought separately on the eShop. The Expansion Pack is only cheaper if you want multiple DLC packs or plan to use the retro games.