Engadget Explains Nintendo Switch Online in 2026: Base Plan at $20, Expansion Pack at $50

The base $20/year plan includes online play with friends or matchmaking in paid titles such as Splatoon 3 or Mario Kart World, while free-to-download games like Rocket League and Fortnite do not require the subscription. It also provides access to the Nintendo Classics library with around 200 NES, SNES, and Game Boy games, from masterpieces like Super Metroid to obscure titles like Crystalis. Cloud storage for save data is included, which the editor considers worth the price alone.

The Expansion Pack, priced at $50/year, adds N64, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, and Virtual Boy titles to the Classics library. It also bundles DLC for three major Switch games: Happy Home Paradise for Animal Crossing: New Horizons (normally $25), the Octo Expansion for Splatoon 2 ($20), and the Booster Course Pass for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe ($25). The editor notes that while these add-ons offer significant value if played, buying them outright may save money in the long run.

On Switch 2, either subscription tier enables GameChat for voice chat and screen sharing, plus GameShare to play select games with friends who don't own them. Expansion Pack members also get the GameCube Classics library, currently containing titles like Wario World and Luigi's Mansion, and free access to the $10 Switch 2 upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

Despite these features, the editor says he has rarely used GameChat because he seldom plays online with friends. He also highlights that the classic game libraries are regularly updated, though the GameCube collection has been growing slowly. The editor's conclusion is that the base plan's cloud save function and game library make it a solid value, while the Expansion Pack's worth depends on how much the included DLC and additional systems are used.