Here’s what you get in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack

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The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is a higher-tier version of the online subscription available for the Nintendo Switch. The $49.99 annual price tag is more than double the price of the base Nintendo Switch Online, but it brings the service’s offerings more in line with its PlayStation and Xbox cousins. The idea is to give players access to more games, including beloved classics from older consoles like the N64, Sega Genesis, and Game Boy Advance.

Here’s the lowdown on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service, details on how to sign up for the service, and everything you’ll get once you sign up.

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Animal Crossing: New HorizonsThe Happy Home Paradise DLC is included in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, but you’ll only have it for as long as you maintain that subscription.
Photo: Nintendo EDP/Nintendo

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

Nintendo Switch Online launched in 2018, giving subscribers the ability to play games online. Some might argue that the service’s biggest advantage is immense (and growing) library NES, SNES and Game Boy games that members can play. You also get cloud saves, voice chat and a companion smartphone app. Not to mention, Switch Online members can buy a two-pack of Game Vouchers for $99.98 that can be used on recent and upcoming first-party titles.

The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack offers all of that, plus a collection of Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, and Game Boy Advance titles (some of which feature recent online multiplayer). It also gives subscribers access to DLC that would otherwise cost money, including Animal Crossing: New Horizons premium extension, Happy Home Paradise and all Mario Kart 8 DeluxeBooster Course Pass, which adds 48 courses and recent characters to the base game ($25 value).

There is a catch: Similar to PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass, you only have access to DLC and classic games while your subscription is vigorous. If you cancel your subscription, you lose access when your membership ends.

Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online image showing two people holding blue and red Joy-Con controllers

Image: Nintendo

What additional games are included in the Expansion Pack?

This Nintendo 64 Games Currently Offered If:

  • 1080º Snowboarding
  • Banjo Kazooie
  • Explosive Corps
  • Dr. Mario 64
  • Excite 64 Bike
  • Extreme G
  • F-Zero X
  • Golden eye 007
  • Harvest Moon 64
  • Iggy’s Reckin’ Balls
  • Gemini jet forces
  • Kirby 64: Crystal Shards
  • Mario Golf
  • Mario Kart 64
  • Mario’s Party
  • Mario Party 2
  • Mario Party 3
  • Tennis Mario
  • Paper Mario
  • Pilot Wings 64
  • Pokémon Puzzle League
  • Pokémon Snap
  • Pokémon Stadium
  • Pokémon Stadium 2
  • Sin and Punishment
  • Fox Star 64
  • Super Mario 64
  • The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
  • The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
  • Wave Race 64
  • RECOVER: COVERT OPERATIONS
  • Yoshi’s Story

A set is also available N64 Games with Mature Rating which you can play via a separate age-restricted app that comes with your subscription. Here are the games included so far:

  • Perfect Darkness
  • Turok Dinosaur Hunter

This Sega Genesis games currently available If:

  • Alien Soldier
  • Alien Storm
  • Alice to Drago
  • The Changed Beast
  • Beyond the oasis
  • Castlevania: Bloodlines
  • Columns
  • Comix Zone
  • Against: Hard Body
  • Crusaders Cents
  • Dr. Robotnik’s Bean Making Machine
  • Headdy Dynamite
  • Jim the Earthworm
  • Ecco the dolphin
  • Twinkling
  • Ghosts and spirits
  • Golden Axe
  • Golden Axe II
  • Gunstar Heroes
  • Baby Chameleon
  • Earth Hunter
  • Light Crusader
  • Mega Man: Wily Wars
  • FLY
  • Fantasy Star IV
  • Pulseman
  • Roast
  • Shining Power
  • Shining Power II
  • Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
  • Sonic the Hedgehog 2
  • Sonic The Hedgehog Spinball
  • Space Harrier II
  • Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition
  • Streets of Wrath 2
  • STRIDER
  • Super Fantasy Zone
  • Vermillon Sword
  • Target Earth
  • Shinobi’s Revenge
  • Lightning Force II
  • ToeJam and Earl
  • Virtua Fighter 2
  • Zero wing

This Game Boy Advance games currently on offer If:

  • Densetsu no Starfy 1
  • Densetsu no Starfy 2
  • Densetsu no Starfy 3
  • F-Zero Top Speed
  • Fiery emblem
  • Golden sun
  • Golden Sun: The Lost Age
  • Kirby and the Amazing Mirror
  • Kuru Kuru Kururin
  • Mario and Luigi: The Superstar Saga
  • Mario Kart: Super Circuit
  • Metroid Fusion
  • Metroid: Mission Zero
  • Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team
  • Super Mario Advance
  • Super Mario Bros. 3 – Visit our Super Mario Bros. 3 page
  • Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2
  • The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and the Four Swords
  • The Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap
  • WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!
  • Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3

Can I get the Expansion Pack if I already have Nintendo Switch Online?

If you want to sign up for the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, Nintendo will let you operate the remaining days as a discount (five cents per day) on the upgraded tier of service. So, if you have 300 days left on your annual subscription, you’ll get $15 back that you can operate toward the cost of the Expansion Pack tier. At that point, your previous membership will end and your recent one will start.

Can I get an Expansion Pack if I am already a family member?

Those who purchased a Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership can upgrade to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Family Plan, which costs $79.99 instead of $49.99 for an individual account. You’ll get a discount based on how much time you have left on your subscription, at a rate of nine cents for each day of service remaining. So, if you have 300 days left, $27 will be deducted from your total for the upgraded service.

This also means that if you are a member of the Family Plan, you can’t simply purchase the Expansion Pack upgrade for yourself. You would have to cancel the Family Plan and purchase a recent subscription for $49.99.

This is FAQ has more, but the basic rules are as follows:

  • If you own Nintendo Switch Online, you can upgrade to any of the other options (individual expansion pack for $49.99; family membership for $34.99, or family membership with expansion pack for $79.99)
  • If you purchase the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, you can upgrade your membership to the Family Edition with the Expansion Pack ($79.99) only.
  • If you have a Nintendo Switch Online Family subscription, you can only add the Expansion Pack at the Family level ($79.99).

Can I downgrade Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack?

The low answer is no. You would have to let your subscription expire. Then, turn off auto-renewal to make sure you don’t get charged. Once that’s done, you can sign up for any level of service you want.

Sega Genesis Control Pad for Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo sells Genesis controllers, dogs and cats live together… universal hysteria!
Image: Nintendo/Twitch

Is Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack worth the price?

The value you get from the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack will largely depend on how much you enjoy Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis games. If you’re buying it just for Animal Crossing: New Horizons DLC and plan on downgrading once you get bored of it, keep in mind that this content will disappear from your game. You’re better off buying the DLC as a one-time purchase for $24.99.

The games for the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance and Sega Genesis consoles are certainly some of the biggest hits that enjoy a wide range of fans – Mario Kart 64, Star Fox 64, Super Mario 64, AND The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time highlight the N64 page; Sega Genesis will charm you Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Streets of Rage 2, Ecco the Dolphin, Strider and others. In the case of the Game Boy Advance section of the service, it’s great to be able to play both Golden sun games, as well as some classic Metroid adventures. And, as mentioned above, some games offer multiplayer functionality.

And there is the possibility of playing these games using wireless replicas of the original controllers of their consoles. These controllers (N64, Genesis) cost $49.99 each.

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