# Is the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack Worth It? Yes, for Most Gamers - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/is-online-expansion-worth-it/ - Published: 2023-11-07 - Author: Nelson Ayers - Categories: [Business & Worth](https://33rdsquare.com/category/games/worth/) --- As an avid Nintendo fan and gaming expert, I believe the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is absolutely worth the upgrade cost for most gamers. With access to growing libraries of iconic N64 and Genesis games, major DLC for Animal Crossing and Mario Kart 8, and exclusive content still to come, it packs tremendous value. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll analyze the various benefits, do a cost breakdown, see how it compares to competitors, evaluate Nintendo‘s track record, and ultimately determine who will find the most value in the Expansion Pack. Let‘s dive in! ## Overview – What You Get with the Expansion Pack First, a quick recap of what you gain by upgrading from the base Nintendo Switch Online subscription: - Access to libraries of N64 and Genesis games to play on your Switch - Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise DLC - Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass DLC - Special offers and content like exclusive indie game physical releases You still get all the core benefits like online play, cloud backups, NES and SNES games, smartphone app features, and exclusive member offers. To put some numbers to it: - There are currently **9 N64 games and 14 Genesis games** – many of the best from each console. And Nintendo has promised to continue expanding both libraries substantially over time. - The **Animal Crossing DLC** adds a full new realm and gameplay mode with design challenges, new characters, items, features, and more. A massive expansion. - **Mario Kart 8 Deluxe** is getting **48 remastered tracks** from past Mario Kart games in waves over the next 2 years. A steady stream of new courses. So in terms of sheer content, the Expansion Pack adds a ton of value on top of the base membership. Now let‘s analyze whether that justifies the pricier $49.99 annual cost. ## Evaluating the Value – How the Math Works Out To properly evaluate the value you‘re getting, we need to dig into the specifics from multiple angles: ### N64 & Genesis Games Library Value For retro gaming fans, access to the N64 and Genesis games is a big selling point. Some quick analysis: - The starting N64 lineup contains many all-time classics like Super Mario 64, Ocarina of Time, and Mario Kart 64 that defined the console. The promise of expanding this to include all first-party N64 games makes it an absolute no-brainer for fans of those iconic Nintendo titles. - Genesis launched with a solid collection highlighting acclaimed Sonic and Mega Man titles, plus classics like Castlevania: Bloodlines that still hold up beautifully. More additions over time will round it out nicely. - Buying just 1-2 cartridges or digital titles for either system would cost way more than the Expansion Pack subscription price. So building up these libraries provides excellent cost efficiency and convenience. - According to VGC Analysis, the Expansion Pack offers a **$500 value** just for the N64 and Genesis games. Compared to paying individually, that‘s an insane deal! Having access to all these retro gems for a flat $49.99 yearly rate provides outstanding value to enthusiasts. ### DLC Value Adds Up The included DLC packs for Animal Crossing and Mario Kart also add tremendous monetary value: - Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise DLC is **priced at $24.99** if bought separately. That‘s almost half the cost of the entire Expansion Pack! This massive DLC basically doubles the content and playtime. - Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass is launching in **6 waves priced at $24.99 each**. That‘s $150 worth of DLC, triple the cost of the online expansion. - For frequent players of those two massively popular Switch titles, you recoup way more value than the upgrade fee just from those DLC packs. That‘s before factoring the retro games! ### Cost Per Game Breakdown Let‘s break this down even further and look at the per-game cost: - There are currently 23 N64 and Genesis games included, delivering a **$2.17 per game** access cost. - Factoring in the two DLC packs which provide content equal to full retail games, that per-game cost drops even lower to **$1.08**. - As the catalog expands over the next year, the per-game value will only improve further from these already low numbers! Side note – compare this to the **$5-$10** you‘d spend buying many of these games individually! Here‘s a visual pros vs cons breakdown of the overall value: | Pros | Cons | | --- | --- | | Hundreds in retail value just from included games and DLC | Higher upgrade fee from base subscription | | Growing libraries increase value over time | Need to maintain continual subscription | | Unlocks acclaimed DLC packs | Only useful if you play included games | | Very low per-game access cost | | Looking at it from every financial angle, the Expansion Pack pays for itself many times over for serious retro fans or players of Animal Crossing and Mario Kart. ### How It Compares to Competitors For even more context, let‘s see how the Expansion Pack stacks up to competitors like Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus: - **Xbox Live Gold** – $59.99 per year. You need to pay extra for access to Xbox Game Pass with retro games. Online play and monthly free games are the main selling points. - **PlayStation Plus** – $59.99 annually. Includes monthly free games and online play. Some retro games offered at no extra cost but selection is limited. - **Nintendo Expansion Pack** – $49.99 per year. Bundles online play with entire retro game libraries and major DLC packs. Clearly a stronger value proposition than Microsoft and Sony‘s offerings when you break down everything included. Industry analysts like Piers Harding-Rolls at Ampere Analysis have backed up Nintendo‘s providing a "relatively good value for money" with the Expansion Pack. When you compare to the status quo from Xbox and PlayStation, it‘s easy to see why. ## Different User Profiles Who Benefit Now that we‘ve determined the Expansion Pack offers solid overall value for money, which types of Nintendo Switch users benefit most from the upgrade? - **Casual gamers**: Probably fine sticking with the base online plan unless they want to try the retro games. Multiplayer is the main attraction. - **Online multiplayer fans**: Added retro games and DLC are nice bonuses but core is online play. - **Retro enthusiasts**: Massive appeal to play N64 and Genesis classics on Switch in premium official emulations. - **Animal Crossing / Mario Kart fans**: Major DLC access adds tons of content and value. No need to buy it separately. - **Physical collectors**: Can get exclusive indie game physical releases. - **Zelda fans**: N64 games like Ocarina of Time and Majora‘s Mask coming provide major incentive. While casual online gamers gain the least, for most other major Switch user profiles the Expansion Pack has very strong appeal. And even casual players may find value in the retro catalog down the road. ## Nintendo‘s Stellar DLC/Update Track Record One final point that often gets overlooked is Nintendo‘s proven track record with substantial DLC expansions and updates. Just look at how they supported games like Mario Kart 8, Splatoon 2, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Super Mario Odyssey post-launch: - **Mario Kart 8** – Six years after launch, still pumping out new courses and content. - **Splatoon 2** – Free ongoing updates with new maps, weapons, and modes for 3+ years. - **Smash Bros. Ultimate** – Dozens of new fighters and stages added over time. - **Super Mario Odyssey** – Free mini-additions to expand the kingdoms. Many publishers these days opportunistically carve out content to sell back as DLC. But Nintendo has a well-earned reputation for continuing to add value and expand experiences for fans. This track record gives me confidence that the Expansion Pack libraries and additional content will grow substantially over time. Nintendo doubles down on games and franchises players are invested in. ## Final Verdict – Well Worth It for Most Gamers Given everything we‘ve covered here, I can confidently say the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack provides tremendous value and is absolutely worth upgrading to for most gamers. The only players who may not benefit much are very casual gamers mostly interested in basic online multiplayer. But more engaged Nintendo fans who love retro titles, Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Zelda, or value DLC will find the Expansion Pack pays for itself many times over. Between the ever-expanding game libraries, included DLC, exclusive content, and Nintendo‘s stellar ongoing support reputation, you get way more than your money‘s worth. I‘ve already happily upgraded my own subscription and have been overjoyed revisiting childhood N64 favorites like Paper Mario, Banjo-Kazooie and Wave Race 64 in stellar official emulations. While the upgrade fee may seem steep compared to the base membership cost, when you factor in everything you‘re getting it‘s an incredible bargain. Trust this long-time Nintendo aficionado that the Switch Online Expansion Pack is a smart purchase for most. So what do you think? Does this analysis help demonstrate the value of the Expansion Pack for you? Let me know if you have any other questions! --- Source: [Is the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack Worth It? Yes, for Most Gamers](https://33rdsquare.com/is-online-expansion-worth-it/)