The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is Nintendo’s latest version of their online service. It offers exclusive content to its members, such as retro games and DLC, but you won’t be able to access those if you only have the base membership. If you’re feeling a little bit confused about the whole thing, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to get Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.
How to Get Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack
Whether you already have the base online membership or no membership at all, you will have to upgrade in order to get the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. Luckily, the steps are pretty similar no matter which case applies to you.
If you already have the base online membership that costs $20 per year, you can upgrade to the expansion pack and the cost will be adjusted accordingly depending on how long you have left on your current membership.
You can upgrade by navigating to the Nintendo Switch Online menu on your Switch device’s home screen (the first option on the bottom row of icons). On the left-hand side of the screen, you should see an option that says Expansion Pack.
Select “Become a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Member,” which will take you to the eShop. Here, you can decide which plan is best for you.
The two plan options are an individual membership, which costs $49.99 per year, or a family plan of up to eight people, which costs $79.99 per year. Both plans are only offered yearly; there is no monthly plan like the base membership offers.
After selecting the plan you prefer, you will be taken to a purchase screen where you can proceed with activating your membership.
Expansion Pack Content
Currently, the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack offers three things: a selection of Nintendo 64 games, a selection of Sega Genesis games, and the upcoming Animal Crossing New Horizons: Happy Home Paradise DLC.
Here is the list of N64 and Genesis games that are available at launch (more will be added over time):
- Super Mario 64
- Mario Kart 64
- Star Fox 64
- Dr. Mario 64
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Yoshi’s Story
- Mario Tennis
- WinBack: Covert Operations
- Sin and Punishment
- Castlevania: Bloodlines
- Contra: Hard Corps
- Dr. Robotik’s Mean Bean Machine
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Golden Axe
- Gunstar Heroes
- MUSHA
- Phantasy Star 4: The End of the Millennium
- Ristar
- Shining Force
- Shinobi 3
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Streets of Rage 2
- Strider
In order to play the N64 and Genesis games here, you must download their respective apps on the Nintendo Switch Online eShop. You can do so by navigating to the same Expansion Pack menu described above and downloading each of them there.
You can download these apps without signing up for the service, but it won’t let you play them unless you have an active membership. Additionally, you must be able to pass an online check when loading the apps so that the system knows you have an active membership.
That’s everything you need to know about how to get Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. Be sure to check back with Twinfinite for more guides, news, and more.
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