Hey friend! Let‘s dig into whether the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is worth that higher price

I don‘t know about you, but I‘ve been debating whether or not to upgrade to the new Expansion Pack myself. $50 per year seems steep compared to the regular $20 Nintendo Switch Online subscription!

In this guide, we‘ll analyze the pricing, features, and overall value to help decide if the Expansion Pack is worth it for retro-loving, completionist gamers like us. I‘ll share plenty of insights from my experience covering Nintendo for Blogcadre to help you decide!

How Much More Expensive is the Expansion Pack?

First, let‘s look at the hard numbers around how much more the Expansion Pack costs compared to the regular Nintendo Switch Online membership:

• Expansion Pack: $49.99 per year
• Regular Nintendo Switch Online: $19.99 per year
• Difference: $30 per year in additional cost

So in total, you‘re paying 150% more per year for the Expansion Pack service. No doubt that $30 price bump feels steep, especially since it‘s a required 12 month commitment!

Compared to Xbox Game Pass at $120 annually, or the new PlayStation Plus Premium at $120 annually, the Expansion Pack is much cheaper. However, Nintendo‘s service offers only retro games, while Game Pass and PS Plus focus on new releases.

Bottom line – the Expansion Pack runs 50% higher than regular Switch Online, but offers lots of added benefits over the base membership. Keep reading to see if those additions justify the cost for you!

Weighing What You Get for the Price

In my opinion, whether or not the Expansion Pack is "worth it" really boils down to the added games and features you get compared to what‘s included with a standard NSO subscription.

Let‘s break down what you gain by upgrading:

Games

• Nintendo 64: Over 70 classics like Mario 64, Zelda Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart 64, and more
• Sega Genesis: 50+ games like Sonic 2, Streets of Rage, Ecco the Dolphin, and more
• Game Boy Advance (added later): 30+ instant classics like Metroid Fusion, Zelda: Minish Cap, Super Mario Bros. 2, and more

That‘s over 150 retro games you get access to compared to just the NES and SNES libraries with the standard membership!

Having this incredible retro catalog makes the Expansion Pack a nostalgic dream come true!

DLC

You also get the full game expansions for two of the Switch‘s biggest hits:

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise: Design vacation homes! ($24.99 value)
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass: 48 remastered tracks across 6 waves ($24.99 value)

That‘s nearly $50 worth of DLC you get included free with an Expansion Pack subscription!

Other Perks

A few other handy perks you gain over the base membership:

• Online multiplayer for N64 / Genesis games
• Save data cloud backup for select games
• Special offers like free game trials or in-game items

So all said – you‘re getting over 300 games, $50 in DLC, and more for $50 annually. That‘s a lot of extra value!

Evaluating If the Added Value Justifies the Cost

In my opinion, here‘s who will find the Expansion Pack 100% worth the upgrade:

Retro Enthusiasts Who Want To Replay the Classics

Gamers like me who relish re-living the magic of classic Nintendo / Sega games will easily get $30 of extra value per year.

Being able to play iconic N64 games like Mario 64, Ocarina of Time, Banjo-Kazooie, and Star Fox 64 anytime on my Switch is awesome. Plus having access to the Genesis hits like Sonic, Ecco, and Streets of Rage 2 I missed in the ‘90s is a treat.

So for retro fans, it‘s an absolute no-brainer to pay a little extra and get this incredible back catalog in one place.

Completionists Who Want the Full Libraries

For gamers who value having all the game content available, the Expansion Pack is a must. You‘re getting the complete N64, Genesis, NES and SNES libraries for one flat annual price.

No need to re-buy Virtual Console titles or hunt down old cartridges; it‘s the ultimate old-school game compendium!

Animal Crossing & Mario Kart Fans

Since the hot new DLC packs for Animal Crossing and Mario Kart normally cost ~$25 each, you‘re essentially getting them for free by subscribing to the Expansion Pack and saving $50+ right there.

If you play these two titles regularly, upgrading is 100% worth it just to get the expanded content at no added cost. It‘s a major perk.

Casual Gamers May Not Need It

However, if you only occasionally dabble in retro games and don‘t care about Animal Crossing or Mario Kart, the Expansion Pack may be harder to justify.

Casual gamers sticking primarily to modern Switch titles won‘t find as much value in the classic game catalogs or DLC access. Paying an extra $30 per year may not make sense if you won‘t use those retro games often. For those users, the standard Online membership could be sufficient.

Watch Out for Missing Favorite Games!

One catch is that some of the most beloved N64 games like Goldeneye, Banjo-Kazooie, and others are still missing from the Expansion Pack. I‘d advise waiting to upgrade until more of your favorites get added.

Paying that premium now for a limited retro selection could lead to disappointment! Give it some time as Nintendo expands the catalog.

Tips to Save on the Expansion Pack

While the Expansion Pack costs more, here are a few ways you can save:

• Family plan – Up to 8 accounts for $80/year, so only $10 per person!
• Buy discounted eShop cards – Get savings when retailers offer eShop cards on sale.
• Convert existing membership – Remaining time on your current NSO sub is discounted off the upgrade price.
• Account sharing – Go in with friends on a family plan to divide up the costs.

Taking advantage of these save options helps soften the pricing hit of the Expansion Pack.

Nintendo Keeping Us Hooked with FOMO

In my view, much of the Expansion Pack‘s appeal comes down to FOMO – fear of missing out! Nintendo is leveraging our nostalgia and completionist tendencies with these limited-time retro game offerings.

It kind of feels like a long Nintendo Direct where they drip feed us more classics every few weeks. By getting us hooked on the constant updates, we feel obligated to keep that Expansion Pack subscription active!

While the drip feed of games does help extend the appeal over time, it also means you may be waiting months or years for some favorites to finally get added. Personally, I wish Nintendo gave us quicker access to the full retro libraries upfront.

But they know how to work their magic – using FOMO to keep that recurring subscription revenue flowing in! Well played, Nintendo. Well played.

The Verdict: Worth It for Retro Fans, But Hold Off If You‘re Unsure

After really digging into the pros, cons, and added value of the Expansion Pack, I believe it comes down to your personal gaming interests and budget.

For retro enthusiasts who love replaying the classics, it‘s an absolute bargain to get so many iconic N64, Genesis, NES and SNES games in one place for just $30 more per year. Easy choice there.

But more casual players who just want to dabble in some retro titles here and there may not find enough value to warrant the upgrade. I‘d suggest waiting for more of your favorite games to release before committing.

My advice is to grab a one month free trial of the Expansion Pack to experience the catalog for yourself. If it brings you joy, then carry on! But don‘t feel pressured to upgrade until you‘re sure it suits your gaming needs.

Well, hope this deep dive helps provide some guidance as you decide whether to take the plunge! Let me know if you have any other questions – I‘m happy to chat more. Enjoy re-exploring those classic gaming worlds 🙂

Your friend,
Jason