Should You Subscribe to the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack?
Despite all of Nintendo’s accolades and accolades, the company has consistently criticized its online experience. Compared to competitors like Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo has always lagged behind in allowing people to play games with friends and buy digital content. However, the company is trying to improve by offering a new level of “Expansion Pack” for the online service, offering new features and exclusive content. So, is it worth it?
What features do you get with Nintendo Switch Online?
Let’s talk about what you get with the traditional Nintendo Switch Online plan. The standard option gives you access to online play (surprise, surprise), retro games with NES and SNES titles, the ability to save game data in the cloud, access to the Nintendo Switch smartphone app, and additional special offers that you would not get without subscriptions.
How much does Nintendo Switch Online cost?
This plan offers three different payment options; you can pay monthly, which will cost you $ 3.99 per month. If you want to save a bit without investing too much money, you can upgrade your plan to pay $ 7.99 every three months. The best value, though – if you know you’re committed to Nintendo Switch Online – is the $ 19.99 annual plan for 12 months. If more than one person in your circle wants to subscribe, there is also a Family Membership that costs $ 34.99 per year. Even if only one additional person uses it, this is your best deal, as it’s still five bucks cheaper than the two of you signing up separately.
What features do you get with the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack?
The Nintendo Expansion Pack for Nintendo Switch Online contains several exciting new features; the company is finally adding new retro games to its platform, starting with the Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis consoles. These games have high definition and save points, as well as local or online multiplayer (for compatible games). Nintendo also offers real N64 and Sega Genesis controllers if you want to fully experience the golden age of retro gaming (sold separately, of course).
What N64 games are included in the expansion pack?
- Dr. Mario 64
- Mario Kart 64
- Mario Tennis
- Sin and punishment
- Star Fox 64
- Super Mario 64
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- WIN: PROTECTIVE OPERATIONS
- Yoshi’s story
What Sega Genesis games are included in the expansion pack?
- Castlevania: Bloodlines
- Contra: Hard Corps
- Dr. Robotnik’s Dastardly Bean Machine
- Ekko Dolphin
- Golden ax
- Gunstar heroes
- MUSHA
- Phantasy Star 4: End of the Millennium
- Ristar
- Shining power
- Shinobi 3
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Streets of Fury 2
- Strider
The expansion pack also includes the Animal Crossing: New Horizons “Happy Home Paradise ” DLC , in which you are responsible for designing holiday homes for the residents of the new island resort. The DLC itself costs $ 24.99, but comes free with a subscription to the Expansion Pack.
How much does the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack cost?
The expansion pack does not include payment options for one or three months; instead, you need to set aside 12 months from the start. That price is $ 49.99, which is $ 30 more than Nintendo Switch Online’s annual regular maintenance. The family membership, on the other hand, costs $ 79.99, which is $ 45 more than the basic plan.
At first glance, this is indeed a significant rise; If you are used to paying only $ 20 a year, then the cost of a subscription is more than doubled is not something to ignore. Break it down for a monthly price, however, and it doesn’t seem all that cool; you do pay $ 2.50 per month more for an expansion pack than your regular 1-year subscription, $ 1.50 more per month for your 3-month plan, and 17.5 cents more than your monthly subscription.
Is Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack worth it?
I think this expansion pack is worth it for a certain type of Nintendo fan. If you love retro gaming and the convenience of being able to play these games on your Switch, then this additional price may not be too high for you. After all, the extra $ 2.50 a month to play Ocarina of Time or Sonic anywhere might be a fair price for some.
It’s also not hard if you want the Animal Crossing: New Horizons DLC . Since this DLC itself costs $ 24.99, you’ll spend $ 44.98 on an annual subscription to Nintendo Switch Online and Happy Home Paradise . For $ 5, you get access to annual games for the N64 and Genesis. Now, if you are not interested in these games, then of course, save five dollars. But I think this plan is really geared towards Animal Crossing players who will benefit from these retro games as well.
However, these are the only major selling points. If you’re not playing Animal Crossing or interested in the new DLC, then the expansion pack suddenly seems overpriced. You need to really love the N64 and Sega Genesis because these games will be what you spend your extra $ 30 on. For gamers who are versed in one or two emulators, you may feel that the additional fee is not worth it.
You don’t need to buy an expansion pack right now
Here’s the good news; No need to rush. First of all, you cannot even subscribe right now, as the service does not start until October 25th. Even when the service does start, however, there is really no time limit to make a decision. Happy Home Paradise will not release until November 5th, so an important component of the Expansion Pack will not be available immediately. Plus, if you wait, you might see new N64 and Genesis games added to the library, which might make the offer more tempting.
If you upgrade to an Expansion Pack, Nintendo will give you a discount proportional to the number of days remaining until your previous subscription expires. You can renew your Nintendo Switch Online subscription for $ 19.99 and return the next day and sign up for an expansion pack; Nintendo will simply take the bulk of that $ 19.99 off the expansion pack’s price tag.
In short, the answer to the question of whether Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is worth your money might be to just wait.