So you just grabbed a console—maybe the classic OLED or the shiny new Switch 2 everyone’s talking about—and you’ve realized that if you want to race anyone in Mario Kart World who isn't sitting on your couch, you need to pay up. It’s annoying, I know. But honestly, compared to what Sony and Microsoft are charging these days, Nintendo’s pricing is still in a totally different ballpark.
The big question is: how much is a nintendo switch online membership right now?
It’s not just one price anymore. It’s a bit of a "choose your own adventure" situation with tiers, family groups, and expansion packs that can make your head spin. Let's break down what's actually coming out of your bank account.
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The Standard Tier: For the Casual Gamer
If you just want the basics—online play, cloud saves so you don't lose 200 hours of Zelda progress, and a massive pile of NES, SNES, and Game Boy games—this is your go-to.
For an individual, you’ve got three choices. You can pay $3.99 for a single month, which is basically the "I just want to play Splatoon for the weekend" tax. If you're slightly more committed, $7.99 gets you three months.
But if you’re actually going to use the thing, the $19.99 annual plan is the only one that makes sense. It’s about $1.67 a month. Seriously, that’s less than a bad cup of coffee.
The Expansion Pack: Is the Jump to $50 Worth It?
This is where things get spicy. Nintendo introduced the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack a few years back, and in 2026, it’s basically become the "Pro" version of the service.
It costs $49.99 a year for one person.
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Why the $30 jump? Well, they’ve stuffed it with N64, Sega Genesis, and Game Boy Advance libraries. Plus, as of this year, they’ve added a curated selection of GameCube classics for Switch 2 users. You also get "free" access to major DLCs, like the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass and those huge Zelda upgrade packs.
Is it worth fifty bucks? Honestly, it depends. If you’re a retro nerd who wants to play Ocarina of Time or F-Zero GX on the go, yeah, it’s a steal. If you never touch old games and already own the DLCs you want, you’re better off sticking to the $20 base plan.
The Family Plan: The Ultimate Life Hack
If you have a brother, a roommate, or even just seven friends you trust, never buy an individual plan.
The Family Membership for the base tier is $34.99 a year.
The Family Membership for the Expansion Pack is $79.99 a year.
Here’s the kicker: you can have up to eight accounts on one family plan. If you max that out on the Expansion Pack, you’re paying $10 per person per year for the highest tier of service. I’ve seen people on Reddit and Discord literally forming "family groups" with strangers just to get that price. It’s the smartest way to handle the cost, hands down.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Costs
A lot of people think they need the Expansion Pack to play online. You don't.
If all you care about is hitting the tracks in Mario Kart or battling in Smash, the $20 standard plan is all you need. The Expansion Pack is a content subscription, not an "online play" requirement.
Also, keep in mind that Nintendo does regional pricing. While the US stays steady at $20/$50, places like Mexico and Brazil recently saw some price hikes. If you’re traveling or using a different region’s eShop, your mileage (and currency conversion) will vary.
Quick Cost Breakdown (Annual)
- Standard Individual: $19.99
- Standard Family (8 accounts): $34.99
- Expansion Pack Individual: $49.99
- Expansion Pack Family (8 accounts): $79.99
Hidden Perks You’re Probably Missing
Besides the games, there’s the Nintendo Music app. If you have any paid membership, you get full access to stream Nintendo soundtracks. It’s surprisingly good for focus or gym sessions.
Then there are the "Vouchers." If you're a member, you can buy two digital game vouchers for $99.98. Since most first-party games like Tears of the Kingdom or the new Mario titles are $60 to $70, you end up saving $20 to $40. If you buy two big games a year, the membership basically pays for itself.
Decision Time: Which One Should You Get?
Stop overthinking it.
If you are a solo player on a budget, get the $19.99 annual plan.
If you have even one other person to split with, get the $34.99 Family Plan.
If you absolutely need GameCube and N64 games, or you want those Zelda Switch 2 upgrades without paying for them separately, bite the bullet on the Expansion Pack.
Just remember to turn off "Auto-Renewal" in the eShop settings if you aren't sure you'll want it next year. Nintendo is notorious for that "surprise" charge hitting your card when you least expect it.
Your Next Steps
- Check your library: Do you already own the Mario Kart or Animal Crossing DLC? If yes, the Expansion Pack loses half its value.
- Find your "Family": Ask your friends if they have a spot on their plan. You’d be surprised how many people have 4 or 5 empty slots.
- Start the Trial: If you've never had it, Nintendo usually offers a 7-day free trial for the base tier. Use it to see if the lag (it happens) is something you can live with before committing to a year.