Nintendo Switch Online is Nintendo’s answer for gamers looking for a subscription service comparable to Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus. It provides not just online gameplay but also a treasure trove of classic games and various perks. In 2021, Nintendo took this up a notch by introducing the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. This premium tier enriches the subscription with more benefits, but it wasn’t met with universal acclaim at first.
When the Expansion Pack was launched, it faced some backlash due to its price. People were a bit miffed that while the standard Nintendo Switch Online plan costs $20 annually, the Expansion Pack bumps this up to $50. Although it’s still quite economical compared to similar services, that price hike wasn’t small. Since its launch, though, Nintendo has focused on enhancing the value of this offering, and the improvements appear to be just getting started.
The standout feature of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is its collection of classic games. This addition is a significant upgrade over what’s available with the basic subscription. It’s a bit of a shame that beloved titles from Nintendo’s past are now locked behind a subscription, replacing the old Virtual Console service from the Wii and Wii U era. Nonetheless, Nintendo has been working hard to expand the roster of older systems available to subscribers.
Initially, the Expansion Pack included Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games, adding to the NES and SNES titles offered in the basic tier. Since then, they’ve also included Game Boy Advance games, while classic Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles have been added to the original tier. With the expected arrival of the Nintendo GameCube games, the Expansion Pack should prove incredibly advantageous for the upcoming Switch 2.
Moreover, the Expansion Pack doesn’t just focus on the classics; it also offers some freebies for Nintendo’s newer games. With a subscription, players can enjoy various expansive downloadable content (DLCs) from first-party Switch games. These include fan-favorites like the Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise expansion, the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass, and the Splatoon 2: Octo-Expansion DLC. Jam-packed with content, these extras offer compelling reasons to subscribe for both long-time fans and newcomers wanting the ultimate editions of Nintendo’s top games.
Looking ahead, the Expansion Pack is set to receive particular upgrades with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. It will offer certain Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Packs without any additional cost. The titles include major hits like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, softening the blow of any buyer’s remorse over the rising prices of Switch 2 games.
Of course, no service is without its need for polish. Game emulation remains a point of refinement. The first run of Nintendo 64 games didn’t perform flawlessly, and the upcoming GameCube additions will need to dodge these pitfalls. However, with continual enhancements, the Expansion Pack is steadily turning into a proposition that could appeal to both seasoned Nintendo fans and those new to the fold.
