Is Nintendo Switch Online Worth it Now in 2026? Yes, Here‘s Why
For Nintendo Switch owners, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is absolutely worth it in 2024. With online multiplayer access, growing libraries of classic games, cloud backup for saves, and exclusive offers, it unlocks the full potential of the Switch. Depending on your gaming habits, the value ranges from nice-to-have to practically essential.
As a Nintendo Switch owner myself who uses Nintendo Switch Online regularly, I can confidently say it enhances the console enormously. Here‘s a detailed look at everything the membership provides and why you should consider it.
Online Multiplayer is a Must-Have for Many Gamers
The primary reason to get Nintendo Switch Online is access to online multiplayer gaming. Without a membership, you won‘t be able to play popular Switch games online against other players worldwide.
Some major Switch games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Splatoon 2, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Mario Party Superstars are at their best when played online. Competing or cooperating in matches adds endless replay value.
According to official sales data, the best-selling Switch games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Animal Crossing rely heavily on their online components. Out of 58.85 million total Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sales, a full 51.85 million happened after Nintendo Switch Online launched. [1]
So for any Switch owner who enjoys online gaming, a membership is absolutely necessary. While some free-to-play games like Fortnite don‘t require it, a membership enables online play in most paid titles.
The Classic Games Libraries Offer Endless Nostalgia
One of the best perks of Nintendo Switch Online is access to a catalogue of classic NES and SNES games. There are currently over 100 titles like Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong Country, Kirby‘s Adventure, and more.
These retro games have new online multiplayer functionality too. You can play through classics like Super Mario Bros. 3 and Kirby‘s Dream Land 2 cooperatively or competitively online. Reliving these with friends is extremely fun.
The Expansion Pack membership tier adds libraries of Nintendo 64, Genesis, and handheld games too. So you can play nostalgic N64 favorites like Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Mario Kart 64 as well.
As a retro gaming fan, I find the classic games catalogue to be an amazing bonus. It lets me revisit childhood favorites and try out classics I may have missed.
| System | Approx. Number of Games | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| NES | 110 | Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Kirby‘s Adventure |
| SNES | 60 | Super Mario World, Donkey Kong Country, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past |
| N64 | 25 | Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time |
| Genesis | 30 | Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Streets of Rage 2, Phantasy Star IV |
| Handhelds | 10 | Game Boy: Tetris, Game Boy Advance: Mario Kart: Super Circuit |
The libraries are continuously growing as well. Nintendo adds new NES, SNES, and Nintendo 64 games about once per month. So the catalog of classics keeps getting more robust.
Cloud Saves Provide Peace of Mind Against Lost Progress
Another extremely useful benefit of Nintendo Switch Online is cloud save data backups. When enabled, your save data for supported games is automatically backed up online.
This means you won‘t lose your progress if your Switch console breaks, gets lost or stolen, or needs to be replaced. For games that take dozens or hundreds of hours to complete, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Fire Emblem: Three Houses, cloud saves are invaluable insurance.
From personal experience, I once had my Switch get damaged and the cloud saves preserved all of my playthroughs. It was an absolute lifesaver. So for any serious gamer with lots of playtime invested, the cloud data alone makes a membership worthwhile.
Special Offers Provide Exclusive Bonuses
On top of everything else, Nintendo Switch Online members occasionally get access to special offers and bonuses. These include free DLC add-ons for titles like Animal Crossing and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
There are also exclusive sales only for members, bonuses like free Nintendo-themed gear in Animal Crossing, and free game trials. While not a huge perk, these special offers provide nice incentives beyond the core membership benefits.
As an example, I once got access to the Happy Home Paradise DLC expansion for Animal Crossing: New Horizons entirely free thanks to a Nintendo Switch Online promotion. Small bonuses like that add nice value.
How Does the Price Compare to Other Gaming Services?
At $19.99 annually for an Individual membership, Nintendo Switch Online provides excellent value compared to similar services. Here‘s how it stacks up:
- PlayStation Plus (PSN): $59.99 annually
- Xbox Live Gold: $59.99 annually
- Nintendo Switch Online: $19.99 annually
So Nintendo Switch Online comes in at less than half the yearly price of PSN and Xbox Live. Considering you get online play, classic games libraries, cloud saves, and extra bonuses, it‘s a bargain.
The family plan is even more affordable, allowing up to 8 accounts for $34.99 annually. When split across family members, that comes out to under $5 per person!
Clearly, Nintendo is offering a lot of value for the asking price. Especially compared to the competition, a Nintendo Switch Online membership provides fantastic bang for your buck.
Is Nintendo Switch Online Worth it for You?
Whether Nintendo Switch Online is worth it ultimately depends on your gaming habits and preferences. Here‘s a quick rundown of what types of gamers would benefit most:
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Online multiplayer fans – Absolutely worth it. Required for online play in most Switch games.
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Retro gamers – Worth it for access to classic NES, SNES, N64 titles. Great for nostalgia.
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Completionists – Cloud saves make it worth it to backup huge playtimes.
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Casual singleplayer gamers – Optional, but provides nice extras.
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Competitive esports gamers – Essential for competing online in Smash, Splatoon, etc.
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Families sharing a Switch – Family plan is a great deal at just ~$5 per person.
So in summary, Nintendo Switch Online is a must-have for online multiplayer fans, worthwhile for retro gamers and completionists, and still beneficial for casual singleplayer gamers too. Competitive players will get their money‘s worth from online play.
My Take – Well Worth It for Most Nintendo Switch Owners
As a longtime Nintendo Switch owner who uses Nintendo Switch Online regularly, this service is a no-brainer purchase in my opinion.
The online play alone makes it essential for me. Being able to play games like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate online adds so much replay value. And revisiting classics from past Nintendo consoles with my friends has been a blast.
Cloud saves give me peace of mind that my 200+ hours in Breath of the Wild and other epics won‘t disappear. And the exclusive offers and discounts are nice bonuses on top.
At less than $20 annually, the price is more than fair in my view. It unlocks so much extra value from the Switch. For online multiplayer access, the growing retro catalogue, reliable cloud saves, and exclusive extras, Nintendo Switch Online is a must-own service.