Overview: Two Tiers for Nintendo's Online Service
Nintendo Switch Online comes in two flavors: the base Individual/Family Plan and the upgraded Expansion Pack. While the base plan offers online multiplayer, cloud saves, and a library of classic NES and SNES games, the Expansion Pack adds N64, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color titles — along with paid DLC for select games.
What the Base Plan Includes
- Online multiplayer for Switch games
- Cloud data backup for save files
- NES and SNES game libraries (70+ titles each)
- Nintendo Switch Online app for voice chat
- Special member offers and game trials
What the Expansion Pack Adds
- Nintendo 64 library: Classics like Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart 64, and Banjo-Kazooie.
- Sega Genesis library: A curated selection of Sega titles including Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage 2, and Castlevania: Bloodlines.
- Game Boy & Game Boy Color: Titles like Tetris, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX, Pokémon Trading Card Game, and more.
- DLC Packs: Paid DLC for games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Booster Course Pass) and Animal Crossing: New Horizons is included for Expansion Pack subscribers.
Performance: How Do Classic Games Hold Up?
Nintendo has done a reasonable job emulating its classic libraries. NES and SNES titles run well and even support online multiplayer for two-player games — a genuinely fun addition. N64 emulation has had some rough patches since launch, including audio and frame-rate issues on certain titles, though Nintendo has addressed many of these through updates. Overall, stability has improved significantly since the service launched.
Value Comparison
| Feature | Base Plan | Expansion Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Online Multiplayer | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cloud Saves | ✅ | ✅ |
| NES & SNES Games | ✅ | ✅ |
| N64 Games | ❌ | ✅ |
| Game Boy / GBC Games | ❌ | ✅ |
| Sega Genesis Games | ❌ | ✅ |
| Included DLC Packs | ❌ | ✅ |
Who Gets the Most Value from the Expansion Pack?
The Expansion Pack is worth it if at least one of the following applies to you:
- You want to play the included N64 or Game Boy classics and don't own them on other platforms.
- You play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and haven't purchased the Booster Course Pass — getting it through Expansion Pack saves money.
- You have a Family Plan and can split the Expansion Pack cost across multiple accounts.
Criticisms Worth Noting
- The price jump from base to Expansion Pack is substantial relative to what's added.
- Library updates have been slow — Nintendo adds new titles infrequently compared to competitors.
- No GameCube or Wii titles have been announced, which many fans hoped for.
- Online play quality remains inconsistent compared to Xbox or PlayStation infrastructure.
Final Verdict
The base Nintendo Switch Online plan is an essential purchase for anyone who plays online on Switch. The Expansion Pack upgrade is a solid deal if you're a retro gaming fan or a regular Mario Kart player — but if you only care about online multiplayer, the base tier is all you need.