Have you been considering a Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) membership to enhance your Nintendo Switch experience? As a fellow gamer who has subscribed since launch, let me guide you through everything this online service offers.
I‘ll break down the membership tiers, classic game libraries, features like cloud saves, how NSO compares to Xbox & PlayStation services, what fans like and don‘t like, and what interesting developments we might see.
Let‘s dive in!
What Exactly is Nintendo Switch Online?
In brief, Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) is the paid subscription service for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch OLED consoles that enables:
- Online multiplayer gaming
- Cloud backup of game save data
- Exclusive member discounts and offers
- Access to growing libraries of classic NES, SNES, Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games
First released in September 2018, over 32 million gamers worldwide now subscribe for $19.99 a year. That makes it almost half the cost of PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold.
While not as robust in some areas, NSO provides excellent value given the ability to play Tetris 99 and classic Super Mario Kart online. Read on for deeper insight into functionality, games included and how reception has been.
NSO Membership Breakdown: Your Pricing Options
Nintendo gives you a couple pricing options when signing up for Switch Online:
Individual Membership
This covers just you on a single Nintendo Account. Pricing options are:
- $3.99 monthly
- $7.99 for 3 months
- $19.99 annually (most popular)
Family Membership
For $34.99 annually, this covers up to 8 accounts across multiple consoles for households. Great value if you have kids each with their own Switch for example!
There is also a new Expansion Pack tier…
NSO + Expansion Pack
This builds on the base subscription by adding:
- Full libraries of classic Nintendo 64 & Sega Genesis games
- Animal Crossing DLC
- Mario Kart 8 tracks
- And more
Pricing is $49.99 annually for individuals or $79.99 for a family plan covering 8 accounts.
So evaluate your nostalgia gaming needs – the expansion pass delivers generous retro value!
Let‘s explore the games lineup next.
Classic Gaming Libraries: NES, SNES & Beyond!
For me, access to legacy Nintendo platforms is a big perk. Here‘s what‘s available on each:
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
Covering 1985-1995 era 8-bit glory, you can rediscover classics like:
- Super Mario Bros 1, 2 and 3
- The Legend of Zelda
- Metroid
And many more! There are currently over 60 NES games available.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
The 16-bit SNES library spans beloved 1990s gems like:
- Super Mario Kart
- Super Mario World 1 and 2
- Donkey Kong Country
- Kirby‘s Dream Land 3
With 50+ titles and counting, it‘s a nostalgia goldmine!
Nintendo 64
Thanks to the Expansion Pack, hot favorites like:
- Super Mario 64
- Mario Kart 64
- Star Fox 64
- Ocarina of Time
Are just a controller rumble away! Over 15 titles so far.
Sega Genesis
The Expansion Pack again opens the door to all-time-greats like:
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Streets of Rage 2
- Gunstar Heroes
- Castlevania: Bloodlines
18+ games and hopefully more to come like Sonic 3!
While the counts seem low, the breadth of 5-star AAA first party games makes each library mighty appealing for their respective eras.
And the catalog keeps growing…
So What Key Features Do You Get?
Let‘s recap the core functionality you receive with an NSO membership:
Online multiplayer – Compete and cooperate in games like Mario Kart, Smash Bros, Splatoon, and more against millions of players.
Cloud save backup – Safeguard hundreds of gameplay hours stored locally on your console by syncing to the cloud. Adds vital data protection!
Exclusive member offers – Keep an eye out for periodic promotions like free games, discounts and more available just for NSO subscribers.
Classic game libraries – Growing collections across the NES, SNES, Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis platforms. Ideal for long-time Nintendo fans to revisit vintage games.
Smartphone app integration – Enable online lobby and voice chat support in compatible games via the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app.
Solid benefits for retro rewinding! But how has all this gone down with players?
So How Have Gamers Responded?
The response is best summarized as mixed but gradually improving…
On launch in 2018, some major gripes were requiring payment to play online after years of free multiplayer access and a limited selection of NES games.
But as the service has evolved over time, adding SNES support in late 2019 and the Expansion Pack tier last year, sentiment continues warming. Many now see the value versus paying double for Xbox Live or PSN.
Ongoing Expansion Pack complains are:
- Still limited Nintendo 64 game selection
- Confusing pricing tiers
- Game additions happen too slowly
However, signs point to Nintendo continuing to expand. Familiar first party staples like Donkey Kong 64, Mario Party and beloved RPGs could come anytime.
And for $20-$35 annually, what‘s there now is pretty awesome for retro enthusiasts like myself!
Okay, let‘s benchmark against Xbox and PlayStation…
How Does Nintendo Switch Online Compare?
While cheaper overall, how does Nintendo Switch Online stack up to Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus?
Here‘s a comparison across popular features:
| Nintendo Switch Online | PlayStation Plus | Xbox Live Gold | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $3.99 (individual) $4.38 (family) | $9.99 | $9.99 |
| Yearly Price | $19.99 (individual) $34.99 (family) | $59.99 | $59.99 |
| Cloud Game Saves | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Online Multiplayer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Monthly Free Games | No | Yes (2 PS4, 1 PS5) | Yes (2-4 titles) |
| Exclusive Discounts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Classic Games | Yes | PlayStation Now app (separate cost) | Backwards compatible older titles included with subscription |
My take?
For budget friendly online play access and nostalgic Nintendo gaming, NSO is a superb value. At just $20 annually, I‘m very satisfied.
However, PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold both offer nice perks like monthly free games and arguably more advanced social features that I do miss occasionally.
But as both a PC gamer with Game Pass and Switch owner, NSO nicely complements my setup!
Getting the Most from Your Membership
To maximize that NSO value as a member, here are some quick pro tips:
- Enable cloud save backups from day one
- Occasionally check for exclusive member deals
- Explore lesser-known classic games beyond just Mario
- Consider the family plan split across households
- Use the smartphone app for voice chat ability
Sticking to best practices like these will help you better enjoy online multiplayer, ensure game data protection, and replay ageless Nintendo classics.
Well covered so far, but what might the future look like?
The Road Ahead: Predictions for Nintendo Switch Online
While fantastic for only being around since 2018, what developments could Nintendo Switch Online see down the road?
For starters, more classic gaming platforms seem imminent. Rumors point to Game Boy and Game Boy Color support. And GameCube has been requested for years.
Further Expansion Pass evolution also feels likely – perhaps a Sega Channel for Genesis diehards or handheld gaming focused service.
And while more of a stretch, Nintendo may develop NSO exclusive titles only playable if subscribed, similar to Xbox Game Pass unto itself.
At over 32 million members currently however, don‘t expect dramatic changes too soon. But cheaper loyalty pricing hopefully arrives for longtime subscribers!
I for one can‘t wait to see what extra nostalgia Nintendo has hiding in its vaults…
The Verdict: Yay or Nay to Signing Up?
So should you take that NSO plunge?
If you answer yes to 2 or more below, I‘d say absolutely:
- You actively play Switch games online against friends
- Losing 100+ hours of gameplay data would bum you out
- You enjoy NES, SNES, N64 or Genesis games for under $20-$35 annually
- You find value in the Nintendo brand and regular exclusive offers
- You want complete peace of mind protecting your island life in Animal Crossing!
If most don‘t apply yet, I‘d still recommend trying out the free 7-day trial at least. Cloud saves alone might sway you once experienced!
Or periodically check back as new features and classic gaming catalog additions occur.
So that concludes my complete guide on everything you need to know about Nintendo Switch Online!
Hopefully the breakdown of membership pricing tiers, game libraries spanning 30+ years of Nintendo history, must-have features like game saves and multiplayer, reception so far, and what could release down the road gives you ample data to decide if it‘s money well spent or not based on your needs.
Let me know if any questions pop up along your decision journey! This gamer is happy to help weigh pros and cons.
