Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack: Price and game list

By

During a Nintendo Direct livestream in 2021, Nintendo announced a new addition to its online service. Dubbed the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack (a reference to the Expansion Pak hardware you could add to your old Nintendo 64 console), this new service promised to expand the current online service to include both N64 titles as well as Sega Genesis games. The normal service, in addition to standard online play for games that support it, currently gives access to NES and SNES classic games, making this the next logical step for Nintendo’s online offerings.

While initially we only knew that this Expansion Pack would be an additional service, and not included in the normal Nintendo Switch Online subscription, we had no idea how much this extra service would cost or how it would function. Since its launch in October 2021, we now know the pricing structure for this extra service and how it will function with the existing online subscription. However, in typical Nintendo fashion, their messaging has left many people confused. We’re here to clear up as many questions as possible and share everything you need to know about Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

Recommended Videos

Further reading

What is the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack?

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack list of N64 games.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is, on the surface, exactly what it sounds like. It is an expanded service to the base Nintendo Switch Online subscription that gives you access to more games for a higher cost. These games, as mentioned, consist of N64 and Genesis titles, with more games being added as time goes on, plus all the normal functionality and games you get as part of Nintendo Switch Online.

The base Nintendo Switch Online service will continue, so no one is forced to upgrade to this service if they don’t want to. The Expansion Pass launched on October 25, 2021.

What is included in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack?

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack shown during the Nintendo Direct.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack currently includes the following titles:

N64

  • The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
  • Banjo-Kazooie
  • Pokémon Snap
  • Mario Golf
  • Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
  • Paper Mario
  • F-Zero X
  • Super Mario 64
  • Mario Kart 64
  • Star Fox 64
  • Yoshi’s Story
  • The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
  • WinBack: Covert Operations
  • Mario Tennis
  • Dr. Mario 64
  • Sin and Punishment

Sega Genesis

  • Castlevania: Bloodlines
  • Contra: Hard Corps
  • Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
  • Eco the Dolphin
  • Golden Axe
  • Gunstar Heroes
  • MUSHA
  • Phantasy Star IV
  • Ristar
  • Shining Force
  • Shining Force 2
  • Shinobi III
  • Sonic The Hedgehog Spinball
  • Sonic the Hedgehog 2
  • Space Harrier 2
  • Streets of Rage 2
  • Strider

The library of games for both systems will be expanded over time, just like the NES and SNES games, and include new features such as split-screen and online play, plus quick save functionality.

The Expansion Pack also unlocks the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise DLC and all the 48 tracks that will be added as DLC to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as part of the Booster Course Pass when they roll out over the course of the year. Access to either DLC would cost you $25 each without the Expansion Pack. As of April 2022, it has also added the Octo Expansion for Splatoon 2, the first old DLC to come to the service, which may imply other older DLC packs may come in the future.

How much does the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack cost?

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Pricing.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

There are two options for subscribing to the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. First is the individual membership, which will cost $50 for a one-year subscription. Second is the family membership, which can include up to eight members, for $80 a year. The current Nintendo Switch Online costs $20 for an individual subscription and $35 for a family plan, making this a fairly substantial price increase.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox loves writing, games, and complaining about not having time to write and play games. He knows the names of more…
Best gaming console deals: cheapest prices on PS5, Xbox S and X and Switch
father and son playing video games

If you've always wanted to pick up a gaming console but have been putting it off for prices to get a bit better, now is the perfect time to pick something up. With many great Xbox Series S and X deals, PlayStation 5 deals, and Nintendo Switch deals to pick from, you can grab something for a relatively cheap price. To that end, we've gone out and collected some of our favorite deals below, including both new and refurbished options where available.
Xbox Series S 1TB -- starting at $330, was $380

The Xbox Series S is the less powerful but cheaper option out of the newest generation Xbox line. When comparing the Xbox Series S versus the Xbox Series X, the Series S takes a hit in all the component categories. That means it's not quite as fast. But if you're not hung up on getting the optimal performance out of your system, you'll actually notice very few differences. The two biggest ones are the Series S's inability to play in 8K, and its lack of a disc drive. Most people don't even have 8K TVs, so that shouldn't be an issue. If you're alright with downloading all of your games straight to the console's memory (and you have a separate DVD or Blu-Ray player), the Series S will work fine. It's quite a bit smaller anyway, and easier to fit on a shelf.

Read more
Nintendo confirms that Switch 2 and a June Direct are coming
A Nintendo Switch Red and Blue system.

Nintendo has finally confirmed two important things that people were speculating about. First off, we learned that another Nintendo Direct showcase will be taking place this June. More importantly, Nintendo finally confirmed that it is working on a Nintendo Switch successor and said we'd learn more about it within this fiscal year.

This all came from a statement by President Shuntaro Furukawa on Nintendo's corporate X (formerly Twitter) account. "We will make an announcement about the successor to Nintendo Switch within this fiscal year. It will have been over nine years since we announced the existence of Nintendo Switch back in March 2015," the post confirms. "We will be holding a Nintendo Direct this June regarding the Nintendo Switch software lineup for the latter half of 2024, but please be aware that there will be no mention of the Nintendo Switch successor during that presentation."

Read more
Jackbox Naughty Pack is the M-rated party game you’ve been waiting for
A still from the Jackbox Naughty Pack announcement trailer.

There won’t be a new Jackbox Party Pack game this year; instead, we’ll be getting a mature-rated game titled Jackbox Naughty Pack.

Jackbox Games made this announcement during Monday’s ID@Xbox Showcase with a short comedic trailer. Not much is being revealed about this package just yet, but Jackbox Games is confirming that this will be the studio's first M-rated title. It will contain three raunchy games for players to pick between that are “full of spicy surprises and maybe even some familiar faces.” Jackbox Party Pack games typically feature five games, so hopefully, these Jackbox Naughty Pack games have more heft to them to make up for there being fewer of them.

Read more