Is Nintendo Online a One Time Purchase?
No, Nintendo Switch Online is not a one-time purchase, as it requires a recurring subscription to access its features, including online play, cloud saves, and a library of classic games. The membership can be purchased in 1-month, 3-month, or 1-year increments, with the option to auto-renew unless manually cancelled by the user.
Understanding Nintendo Switch Online
To provide more clarity on Nintendo Switch Online and its purchase options, let’s dive into some frequently asked questions that users often have about the service.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Long Does a Nintendo Online Membership Last?
A Nintendo Switch Online membership can last for 1 month, 3 months, or 1 year, depending on the selected subscription plan.
2. What Does the 12-Month Nintendo Membership Give You?
With a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership, you get access to online play, a growing catalog of classic NES, Super NES, and Game Boy titles with online play, cloud backup for your save data, and extra features for the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app.
3. Is Nintendo Online $20 a Year?
The basic Nintendo Switch Online plan costs $19.99 for 12 months, offering online play, cloud saves, and access to a library of free games.
4. Why is Nintendo Online Not Free?
Nintendo charges for online services to maintain a stable playing experience and provide proper support, similar to other gaming platforms like PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live.
5. Can You Play Nintendo Online Without Paying?
You can try Nintendo Switch Online for free with a free trial, but after the trial period, you need to purchase a subscription to continue using the service.
6. When Did Nintendo Online Stop Being Free?
Nintendo Switch Online became a paid service on September 18, 2018, offering online play, cloud saves, and access to classic games.
7. Is the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack Worth It?
The Expansion Pack offers additional benefits like Sega Genesis, N64, Game Boy, and Game Boy Advance games, as well as DLC for certain titles, making it a worthwhile investment for fans of these classic consoles.
8. How Often Do You Have to Pay for Nintendo Online?
You can pay for Nintendo Switch Online in 1-month, 3-month, or 1-year increments, with the option to auto-renew your subscription.
9. What Happens If Your Nintendo Online Expires?
If your Nintendo Switch Online membership expires, you’ll lose access to online play, cloud saves, and classic games, but you can regain access by resubscribing within 180 days.
10. Do You Have to Pay to Play Online on Switch?
Yes, a Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required for online play in most Nintendo Switch games.
11. What’s the Difference Between Nintendo Online and the Expansion Pack?
The main difference is that the Expansion Pack includes Sega Genesis, N64, Game Boy, and Game Boy Advance games, as well as DLC for certain titles, in addition to the basic Nintendo Switch Online features.
12. Is the Nintendo Switch Expansion Pack a One-Time Purchase?
No, the Switch Online Expansion Pack is only available as an annual membership, with no option for a one-time purchase or monthly payments.
13. Can You Play Old Games with Nintendo Switch Online?
Yes, Nintendo Switch Online members can play a growing library of classic NES, Super NES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis games.
14. Why Did Nintendo Charge for Online?
Nintendo charges for online services to maintain a stable playing experience, prevent lag and hacks, and provide proper support for its users.
15. Is Nintendo Shutting Down Online Services?
Nintendo has announced the discontinuation of online services for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software in April 2024, but Nintendo Switch Online will continue to operate normally.