Nintendo Switch Online: Difference between revisions

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{{ProductCargo

|ArticleType=Service

|Category=Online Gaming

|Company=Nintendo

|Description=

|InProduction=Yes

|Logo=Nintendo Switch Online

|ProductLine=Nintendo Switch

|ReleaseYear=2018

|Website=https://www.nintendo.com/us/online/

}}

Nintendo Switch Online (or NSO for short), is a paid online gaming subscription service for the [[Nintendo Switch]] and [[Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch 2]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Switch Online — Overview |url=https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Nintendo-Switch-Online/Nintendo-Switch-Online-Overview-1183143.html}}</ref> similar to [[PlayStation Network]] on the [[PlayStation]] consoles and [[Xbox Live]] on [[Xbox]] consoles. It was introduced in September of 2018<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-12 |title="The Nintendo Switch online service is launching on September 18th" |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/12/17850516/nintendo-switch-online-service-release-date |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109033627/https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/12/17850516/nintendo-switch-online-service-release-date |archive-date=2020-11-09 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=The Verge}}</ref>, roughly a year after the Nintendo Switch's launch. At which time, games that used to have their online multiplayer functions accessible for free were locked behind this subscription service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-06-02 |title="Nintendo Switch online service pushed back to 2018 |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nintendo-switch-online-service-to-launch-in-2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124013853/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-06-02-nintendo-switch-online-service-to-launch-in-2018 |archive-date=2020-11-24 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=gamesindustry.biz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What online games can you play without switch online? |url=https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/wiki/what-online-games-can-you-play-without-switch-online/}}</ref> The service also includes access to other things such as saving to the cloud, Nintendo Music, GameChat (Nintendo's voice chat system with the ~~new~~ Nintendo Switch 2), and playing older Nintendo games from the NES/Famicom, SNES/Super Famicom, and Game Boy.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-8-19 |title=Compare Nintendo Switch Online Memberships |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/online/compare-memberships/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819125044/https://www.nintendo.com/us/online/compare-memberships/ |archive-date=2025-8-19 |access-date=2025-8-19 |website=Nintendo}}</ref>

<!-- Logo:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nintendo_Switch_Online_logo.svg -->Nintendo Switch Online (or NSO for short), is a paid online gaming subscription service for the [[Nintendo Switch]] and [[Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch 2]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Switch Online — Overview |url=https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Nintendo-Switch-Online/Nintendo-Switch-Online-Overview-1183143.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260122023348/https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Nintendo-Switch-Online/Nintendo-Switch-Online-Overview-1183143.html |archive-date=22 Jan 2026}}</ref> similar to [[PlayStation Network]] on the [[PlayStation]] consoles and [[Xbox Live]] on [[Xbox]] consoles. It was introduced in September of 2018<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-12 |title="The Nintendo Switch online service is launching on September 18th" |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/12/17850516/nintendo-switch-online-service-release-date |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109033627/https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/12/17850516/nintendo-switch-online-service-release-date |archive-date=2020-11-09 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=The Verge}}</ref>, roughly a year after the Nintendo Switch's launch. At which time, games that used to have their online multiplayer functions accessible for free were locked behind this subscription service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-06-02 |title="Nintendo Switch online service pushed back to 2018 |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nintendo-switch-online-service-to-launch-in-2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124013853/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-06-02-nintendo-switch-online-service-to-launch-in-2018 |archive-date=2020-11-24 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=gamesindustry.biz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What online games can you play without switch online? |url=https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/wiki/what-online-games-can-you-play-without-switch-online/}}</ref> The service also includes access to other things such as saving to the cloud, Nintendo Music, GameChat (Nintendo's new voice chat system introduced with the Nintendo Switch 2<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-19 |title=Nintendo Switch 2 Gamechat |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/switch-2/features/gamechat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819130515/https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/switch-2/features/gamechat/ |archive-date=2025-08-19 |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Nintendo}}</ref>), and playing older Nintendo games from the NES/Famicom, SNES/Super Famicom, and Game Boy.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-08-19 |title=Compare Nintendo Switch Online Memberships |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/online/compare-memberships/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819125044/https://www.nintendo.com/us/online/compare-memberships/ |archive-date=2025-08-19 |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Nintendo}}</ref>

Nintendo offers the base subscription pack at either a free 7-day trial, once monthly (3.99), once every 3 months (7.99), or once ever year (19.99). Nintendo also offers a Family subscription pack exclusively yearly for $34.99.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Memberships {{!}} Nintendo Switch Online |url=https://ec.nintendo.com/US/en/membership/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729043936/https://ec.nintendo.com/US/en/membership/ |archive-date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Nintendo}}</ref> The family pack allows for up to 8 accounts to be connected on one plan.<ref name=":1" /> (More research needed on why the expansion pack and family subscription packs are only available yearly)

Some users have been banned from all online services, including Nintendo Switch Online after hacking their consoles.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Petite |first=Steven |date=May 22, 2018 |title=Nintendo starts banning Switch hackers from online services |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/nintendo-starts-banning-switch-hackers/ |access-date=August 16, 2025 |work=digitaltrends}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Doolan |first=Liam |date=June 17, 2025 |title=Nintendo Reportedly Banning Switch 2's Using MIG Cartridges |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/nintendo-reportedly-banning-switch-2s-using-mig-cartridges?s=09 |work=Nintendo Life}}</ref>

Some users have been banned from all online services, including Nintendo Switch Online after hacking their consoles.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Petite |first=Steven |date=May 22, 2018 |title=Nintendo starts banning Switch hackers from online services |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/nintendo-starts-banning-switch-hackers/ |access-date=August 16, 2025 |work=digitaltrends |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250916131130/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/nintendo-starts-banning-switch-hackers/ |archive-date=16 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Doolan |first=Liam |date=June 17, 2025 |title=Nintendo Reportedly Banning Switch 2's Using MIG Cartridges |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/nintendo-reportedly-banning-switch-2s-using-mig-cartridges?s=09 |work=Nintendo Life |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251004103627/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/nintendo-reportedly-banning-switch-2s-using-mig-cartridges?s=09 |archive-date=4 Oct 2025}}</ref>

== Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack ==

==Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack==

Unlike the base subscription Nintendo prices the NSO+EP exclusively as a yearly subscription for $49.99 (individual) or at 79.99 (Family). The expansion pack offers additional ~~several~~ services such as Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade Packs for games, DLC, and access to games from older consoles such as the GameCube, N64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis/Mega Drive.<ref name=":1" />

Unlike the base subscription Nintendo prices the NSO+EP exclusively as a yearly subscription for $49.99 (individual) or at 79.99 (Family). The expansion pack offers additional services such as Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade Packs for games, DLC, and access to games from older consoles such as the GameCube, N64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis/Mega Drive.<ref name=":1" />

==Consumer impact summary==

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This is in stark contrast to the 'Virtual Console' service Nintendo offered for their Wii, Wii U, and 3DS consoles previously, in which individual titles were available for a one-time purchase and digital download.

===Virtual Boy Accessory Requirement===

In September, 2025, Nintendo announced that it's ill-fated Virtual Boy would be the newest system added to its Switch online game streaming service. The other system collections have also been offered as free downloads to members of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. The Virtual Boy collection was similarly offered for free, but Nintendo also revealed that a required accessory would need to be purchased to make use of the Virtual Boy collection. They offered an option of a $99 replica of the original Virtual Boy device or a $20 cardboard headset. Use of either of these accessories is required to properly play the Virtual Boy Collection as the companion app was not designed with an option to disable the 3D graphics and is also not compatible with a TV by docking the Switch console. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Andy |date=2025-09-12 |title=Nintendo Switch is getting a Virtual Boy accessory and Switch Online games |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintendo-switch-is-getting-a-virtual-boy-accessory-and-switch-online-games/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260309125932/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintendo-switch-is-getting-a-virtual-boy-accessory-and-switch-online-games/ |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=Video Games Chronicle}}</ref> Software emulators fans created for Nintendo's prior Nintendo 3DS console can render the Virtual Boy graphics with the use of the system's autostereoscopic 3D display along with allowing the 3D graphics to be disabled by using the system's existing 3D slider. Nintendo also posted an incorrect statement to social media that their existing product, the Nintendo Labo VR Headset, would be compatible with the Virtual Boy collection.

==References==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Stub}}
+ {{ProductCargo
+|ArticleType=Service
+|Category=Online Gaming
+|Company=Nintendo
+|Description=
+|InProduction=Yes
+|Logo=Nintendo Switch Online
+|ProductLine=Nintendo Switch
+|ReleaseYear=2018
+|Website=https://www.nintendo.com/us/online/
+}}
-Nintendo Switch Online (or NSO for short), is a paid online gaming subscription service for the [[Nintendo Switch]] and [[Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch 2]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Switch Online — Overview |url=https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Nintendo-Switch-Online/Nintendo-Switch-Online-Overview-1183143.html}}</ref> similar to [[PlayStation Network]] on the [[PlayStation]] consoles and [[Xbox Live]] on [[Xbox]] consoles. It was introduced in September of 2018<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-12 |title="The Nintendo Switch online service is launching on September 18th" |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/12/17850516/nintendo-switch-online-service-release-date |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109033627/https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/12/17850516/nintendo-switch-online-service-release-date |archive-date=2020-11-09 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=The Verge}}</ref>, roughly a year after the Nintendo Switch's launch. At which time, games that used to have their online multiplayer functions accessible for free were locked behind this subscription service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-06-02 |title="Nintendo Switch online service pushed back to 2018 |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nintendo-switch-online-service-to-launch-in-2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124013853/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-06-02-nintendo-switch-online-service-to-launch-in-2018 |archive-date=2020-11-24 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=gamesindustry.biz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What online games can you play without switch online? |url=https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/wiki/what-online-games-can-you-play-without-switch-online/}}</ref>  The service also includes access to other things such as saving to the cloud, Nintendo Music, GameChat (Nintendo's voice chat system with the new Nintendo Switch 2), and playing older Nintendo games from the NES/Famicom, SNES/Super Famicom, and Game Boy.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-8-19 |title=Compare Nintendo Switch Online Memberships |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/online/compare-memberships/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819125044/https://www.nintendo.com/us/online/compare-memberships/ |archive-date=2025-8-19 |access-date=2025-8-19 |website=Nintendo}}</ref>
+<!-- Logo:
+https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nintendo_Switch_Online_logo.svg -->Nintendo Switch Online (or NSO for short), is a paid online gaming subscription service for the [[Nintendo Switch]] and [[Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch 2]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Switch Online — Overview |url=https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Nintendo-Switch-Online/Nintendo-Switch-Online-Overview-1183143.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260122023348/https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Nintendo-Switch-Online/Nintendo-Switch-Online-Overview-1183143.html |archive-date=22 Jan 2026}}</ref> similar to [[PlayStation Network]] on the [[PlayStation]] consoles and [[Xbox Live]] on [[Xbox]] consoles. It was introduced in September of 2018<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-12 |title="The Nintendo Switch online service is launching on September 18th" |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/12/17850516/nintendo-switch-online-service-release-date |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109033627/https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/12/17850516/nintendo-switch-online-service-release-date |archive-date=2020-11-09 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=The Verge}}</ref>, roughly a year after the Nintendo Switch's launch. At which time, games that used to have their online multiplayer functions accessible for free were locked behind this subscription service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-06-02 |title="Nintendo Switch online service pushed back to 2018 |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nintendo-switch-online-service-to-launch-in-2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124013853/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-06-02-nintendo-switch-online-service-to-launch-in-2018 |archive-date=2020-11-24 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=gamesindustry.biz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What online games can you play without switch online? |url=https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/wiki/what-online-games-can-you-play-without-switch-online/}}</ref>  The service also includes access to other things such as saving to the cloud, Nintendo Music, GameChat (Nintendo's new voice chat system introduced with the Nintendo Switch 2<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-19 |title=Nintendo Switch 2 Gamechat |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/switch-2/features/gamechat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819130515/https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/switch-2/features/gamechat/ |archive-date=2025-08-19 |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Nintendo}}</ref>), and playing older Nintendo games from the NES/Famicom, SNES/Super Famicom, and Game Boy.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-08-19 |title=Compare Nintendo Switch Online Memberships |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/online/compare-memberships/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819125044/https://www.nintendo.com/us/online/compare-memberships/ |archive-date=2025-08-19 |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Nintendo}}</ref>
 Nintendo offers the base subscription pack at either a free 7-day trial, once monthly (3.99), once every 3 months (7.99), or once ever year (19.99). Nintendo also offers a Family subscription pack exclusively yearly for $34.99.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Memberships {{!}} Nintendo Switch Online |url=https://ec.nintendo.com/US/en/membership/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729043936/https://ec.nintendo.com/US/en/membership/ |archive-date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Nintendo}}</ref> The family pack allows for up to 8 accounts to be connected on one plan.<ref name=":1" />                             (More research needed on why the expansion pack and family subscription packs are only available yearly)
-Some users have been banned from all online services, including Nintendo Switch Online after hacking their consoles.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Petite |first=Steven |date=May 22, 2018 |title=Nintendo starts banning Switch hackers from online services |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/nintendo-starts-banning-switch-hackers/ |access-date=August 16, 2025 |work=digitaltrends}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Doolan |first=Liam |date=June 17, 2025 |title=Nintendo Reportedly Banning Switch 2's Using MIG Cartridges |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/nintendo-reportedly-banning-switch-2s-using-mig-cartridges?s=09 |work=Nintendo Life}}</ref>
+Some users have been banned from all online services, including Nintendo Switch Online after hacking their consoles.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Petite |first=Steven |date=May 22, 2018 |title=Nintendo starts banning Switch hackers from online services |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/nintendo-starts-banning-switch-hackers/ |access-date=August 16, 2025 |work=digitaltrends |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250916131130/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/nintendo-starts-banning-switch-hackers/ |archive-date=16 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Doolan |first=Liam |date=June 17, 2025 |title=Nintendo Reportedly Banning Switch 2's Using MIG Cartridges |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/nintendo-reportedly-banning-switch-2s-using-mig-cartridges?s=09 |work=Nintendo Life |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251004103627/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/nintendo-reportedly-banning-switch-2s-using-mig-cartridges?s=09 |archive-date=4 Oct 2025}}</ref>
-== Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack ==
+==Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack==
-Unlike the base subscription Nintendo prices the NSO+EP exclusively as a yearly subscription for $49.99 (individual) or at 79.99 (Family). The expansion pack offers additional several services such as Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade Packs for games, DLC, and access to games from older consoles such as the GameCube, N64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis/Mega Drive.<ref name=":1" />
+Unlike the base subscription Nintendo prices the NSO+EP exclusively as a yearly subscription for $49.99 (individual) or at 79.99 (Family). The expansion pack offers additional services such as Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade Packs for games, DLC, and access to games from older consoles such as the GameCube, N64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis/Mega Drive.<ref name=":1" />
 ==Consumer impact summary==
@@ Line 20: / Line 32: @@
 This is in stark contrast to the 'Virtual Console' service Nintendo offered for their Wii, Wii U, and 3DS consoles previously, in which individual titles were available for a one-time purchase and digital download.
+===Virtual Boy Accessory Requirement===
+In September, 2025, Nintendo announced that it's ill-fated Virtual Boy would be the newest system added to its Switch online game streaming service. The other system collections have also been offered as free downloads to members of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. The Virtual Boy collection was similarly offered for free, but Nintendo also revealed that a required accessory would need to be purchased to make use of the Virtual Boy collection. They offered an option of a $99 replica of the original Virtual Boy device or a $20 cardboard headset. Use of either of these accessories is required to properly play the Virtual Boy Collection as the companion app was not designed with an option to disable the 3D graphics and is also not compatible with a TV by docking the Switch console. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Andy |date=2025-09-12 |title=Nintendo Switch is getting a Virtual Boy accessory and Switch Online games |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintendo-switch-is-getting-a-virtual-boy-accessory-and-switch-online-games/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260309125932/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintendo-switch-is-getting-a-virtual-boy-accessory-and-switch-online-games/ |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=Video Games Chronicle}}</ref> Software emulators fans created for Nintendo's prior Nintendo 3DS console can render the Virtual Boy graphics with the use of the system's autostereoscopic 3D display along with allowing the 3D graphics to be disabled by using the system's existing 3D slider. Nintendo also posted an incorrect statement to social media that their existing product, the Nintendo Labo VR Headset, would be compatible with the Virtual Boy collection.
 ==References==