What the Expansion Pack adds to your Nintendo Switch Online membership
Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack is a paid tier above the standard Nintendo Switch Online subscription. If you already have the base subscription, the Expansion Pack adds access to a library of classic Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games, cloud saves for those titles, and online play for them. You also get the ability to play Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, plus access to DLC (downloadable content) for certain Nintendo Switch games without paying separately for each one.
The Expansion Pack costs more per month than the base subscription. The exact price depends on whether you choose a monthly plan, an annual plan, or a family plan that covers up to eight accounts on one Switch console. Nintendo occasionally adjusts these prices, so check the Nintendo eShop on your Switch or Nintendo's official website for current rates in your region.
You do not need the Expansion Pack to play online multiplayer on most Nintendo Switch games. The base subscription covers that. The Expansion Pack is for people who want the retro game library and the DLC benefits.
Key Takeaways
- The Expansion Pack adds Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color games to your subscription library.
- You can play these classic games online with other people and save your progress to the cloud.
- The Expansion Pack costs more than the base Nintendo Switch Online subscription and requires a separate purchase or upgrade.
- A family plan covers up to eight accounts on one console and costs less per person than individual subscriptions.
- You keep access to these games only while your Expansion Pack subscription is active.
How to upgrade from the base subscription to the Expansion Pack
If you already have Nintendo Switch Online, you can upgrade to the Expansion Pack without losing your current subscription. Go to the Nintendo eShop on your Switch console, select your profile icon in the top right, and choose "Manage Subscription." You will see the option to upgrade to the Expansion Pack. Select it and follow the prompts to confirm your payment method.
Nintendo will charge you the difference between what you have already paid for the base subscription and the full price of the Expansion Pack for the remainder of your billing period. After that, your renewal will be at the Expansion Pack rate. If you started with a family plan at the base level, you can upgrade that family plan to the Expansion Pack tier instead of switching to an individual plan.
You can also start a new Expansion Pack subscription if you do not currently have Nintendo Switch Online at all. The process is the same: go to the eShop, select "Manage Subscription," and choose the Expansion Pack tier and plan length you want.
What games come with the Expansion Pack
The Expansion Pack includes a rotating library of Nintendo 64 games such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, and Mario Kart 64. The exact list changes over time as Nintendo adds and removes titles. You can see the full current list in the Nintendo Switch Online app or on the eShop before you purchase.
The Sega Genesis library includes games like Sonic the Hedgehog, Altered Beast, and Gunstar Heroes. Like the Nintendo 64 library, this list is not fixed and may grow. Game Boy and Game Boy Color games are also included, with titles ranging from The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening to Metroid II.
These games are not the same as buying them individually. You can play them only while your Expansion Pack subscription is active. If you cancel the subscription, you lose access to the games, though your save files remain tied to your account if you resubscribe later.
How online play and cloud saves work for classic games
Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games on the Expansion Pack support online multiplayer. You can play against or with other people who also have the Expansion Pack, just as you would with modern Switch games. The online infrastructure is the same as the base subscription — you do not need anything extra beyond the Expansion Pack itself.
Cloud saves for these classic games work automatically. Your progress is backed up to Nintendo's servers, so if you play on a different Switch console or if your console breaks, you can read your save file and pick up where you left off. This applies to Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color titles.
Not all classic games support online play. Some are single-player only. Check the game's description in the library to see whether it offers online features before you start playing.
DLC and other benefits included in the Expansion Pack
The Expansion Pack includes DLC for certain Nintendo Switch games at no extra cost. The most notable example is the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass, which adds new tracks and characters to the game. You also get access to DLC for games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Splatoon 3 depending on what Nintendo has bundled into the current Expansion Pack offering.
These DLC packs are included only for subscribers. If you cancel the Expansion Pack, you keep the base game but lose access to the DLC content. If you resubscribe later, the DLC becomes available again.
The Expansion Pack does not include Nintendo Switch games themselves — only the classic retro games, the DLC for specific modern titles, and online play features. You still need to buy or own the base versions of modern games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Animal Crossing to use the DLC.
Family plans and how they work
A family plan for the Expansion Pack covers up to eight accounts on a single Nintendo Switch console. Each person on the plan can access the classic game library, play online, and use cloud saves. The family plan costs less per person than buying individual subscriptions.
All eight accounts must be on the same console to use a family plan. If someone in your family wants to play on a different console, they would need their own individual subscription or you would need a separate family plan for that console. You can switch which console a family plan is tied to, but only one console can use it at a time.
The person who purchases the family plan is the account holder and manages billing. Other family members do not need their own payment method — they straightforward use their accounts on the shared console. If the account holder cancels the plan, all eight accounts lose access when ready.
Canceling the Expansion Pack and what happens to your games
You can cancel the Expansion Pack at any time through the Nintendo eShop. Go to "Manage Subscription," select the Expansion Pack, and choose "Cancel Subscription." Your access ends on the date your current billing period expires — you do not lose access when ready.
When your subscription ends, you can no longer play the Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, or Game Boy Color games. Your save files are preserved on Nintendo's servers, so if you resubscribe later, your progress is still there. The DLC you had access to through the Expansion Pack also becomes unavailable, but again, if you resubscribe, it comes back.
If you downgrade from the Expansion Pack back to the base Nintendo Switch Online subscription instead of canceling entirely, you keep online play and cloud saves for modern Switch games — you just lose the retro game library and the bundled DLC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the Expansion Pack to play Nintendo Switch games online?
No. The base Nintendo Switch Online subscription covers online multiplayer for most modern Switch games. The Expansion Pack is only for the classic retro games, their online features, and the bundled DLC. If you only play modern games online, the base subscription is enough.
Can I share the Expansion Pack with someone on a different console?
A family plan covers up to eight accounts on one console only. If you want the Expansion Pack on a second console, you need a separate subscription or family plan for that console. Individual subscriptions cannot be shared across consoles.
What happens to my save files if I cancel the Expansion Pack?
Your save files stay on Nintendo's servers. You cannot play the games or access the saves while unsubscribed, but if you resubscribe later, your progress is still there and you can continue playing.
Are the games on the Expansion Pack the same as the originals?
They are emulated versions of the original games, which means they run through software that mimics the old hardware. They play the same way, but some players notice minor differences in performance or display compared to the original cartridges.
Can I buy individual classic games instead of subscribing?
No. Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color games are available only through the Expansion Pack subscription. You cannot purchase them separately on the Nintendo eShop.