Latest updates on Nintendo Switch Online for March revealed!
Nintendo Switch Online: Enhanced Gaming Experience for Nintendo Fans
Nintendo Switch Online offers a wealth of benefits for gamers, providing an enhanced experience for players of all ages. With this subscription service, members can connect with friends and family for online play in a variety of games, including the newly added Mario's Picross and Donkey Kong games.
For those who appreciate a good soundtrack, a playlist featuring music from staff credits is available, featuring tracks from legendary games like The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros.
The Nintendo Switch Online app on your Nintendo Switch system is your gateway to the latest missions, rewards, and more. Active members have access to online gameplay in compatible games, such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, where players can race online with competitors from around the world.
Members can also earn Platinum Points for their My Nintendo account by playing select games, such as Super Mario Bros. 3 or Super Mario 64. These points can be redeemed for icon elements inspired by the game played.
When you purchase a pair of Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers, you can redeem one for the digital version of popular games like Super Mario Party or Xenoblade Chronicles.
For a more comprehensive experience, the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack provides additional benefits. In addition to all the base benefits, this package offers access to retro game libraries extending up to GameCube titles, such as The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker and Super Mario Strikers. The Expansion Pack also includes free downloadable content (DLC) for popular games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Splatoon 2.
Moreover, members receive exclusive upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom starting from June 2025.
However, it's important to note that exclusive new games for the Nintendo Switch are primarily not tied to the online membership. These games, such as Mario Kart World and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, are planned for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console.
In summary, Nintendo Switch Online provides online multiplayer, cloud saves, voice chat via a smartphone app, and access to a library of classic Nintendo games. The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack offers all these benefits, plus access to expanded retro libraries, DLC content, and exclusive upgrade packs for select Zelda games. Exclusive new games, however, remain mostly a separate aspect tied to new hardware like the Switch 2.
| Benefit / Game Type | Nintendo Switch Online | Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack | |---------------------------------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------------------------| | Online multiplayer | Yes | Yes | | Cloud save data | Yes | Yes | | Voice chat (via smartphone app) | Yes | Yes | | Access to NES, SNES, Game Boy classic games | Yes | Yes | | Access to Nintendo 64, SEGA Genesis (Mega Drive), Game Boy Advance, GameCube libraries | No | Yes | | Free DLC for select Switch games | No | Yes (Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2, etc.) | | Exclusive upgrade packs for Zelda games| No | Yes | | Exclusive new Nintendo Switch games | No | No (exclusive games are for Switch 2 or separate purchases) |
- Nintendo Switch Online lets players enjoy online multiplayer in games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, offering them a chance to race against competitors worldwide.
- The Nintendo Switch Online app also provides access to a collection of classic games from the NES, SNES, and Game Boy eras, including Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.
- In contrast, the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack offers even more games, including Nintendo 64, SEGA Genesis (Mega Drive), Game Boy Advance, and GameCube titles like The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker.
- Moreover, members of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack can also receive free downloadable content (DLC) for popular games such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Splatoon 2.
- The expanded package also includes exclusive upgrade packs for selected Zelda games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, starting from June 2025.
- However, exclusive new games for the Nintendo Switch, such as Mario Kart World and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, are primarily designed for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console, not tied to the online membership.
