Prior to the Nintendo Switch, online play was free, but now a subscription covers most multiplayer modes. The base Nintendo Switch Online plan costs $20/year and delivers essentials. It enables online matchmaking for paid titles like Splatoon 3 and Mario Kart World, while exempting free-to-play games such as Rocket League. Subscribers gain access to a Classics library of roughly 200 NES, SNES, and Game Boy titles, cloud save storage, the Nintendo Music app, and perks like Tetris 99 and retro controllers.

Upgrading to the Expansion Pack raises the fee to $50/year. This tier expands the Classics collection with N64, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, and Virtual Boy libraries. It also bundles DLC for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Splatoon 2, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Purchasing these expansions separately often exceeds the annual subscription cost over time.

Switch 2 users receive additional advantages. Both tiers include native Game Chat, accessed via the controller’s C button for seamless voice communication. Reviewing which bundled features match your library ensures you only pay for relevant services.