Do You Have to Pay to Play N64 on Switch?
Yes, you do have to pay to play Nintendo 64 (N64) games on your Nintendo Switch. It is not a free feature. Access to the library of classic N64 titles is exclusively available through a paid subscription to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. This is a higher-tier membership that offers more benefits than the standard Nintendo Switch Online service. Let’s dive deeper into what that means and what else you get with this subscription.
Understanding Nintendo Switch Online
Before we can fully understand the cost of playing N64 games, we need to clarify the two levels of Nintendo Switch Online memberships:
Nintendo Switch Online (Basic)
This is the standard, paid service that launched in 2018. It provides the foundation for online play on the Nintendo Switch. The basic membership includes:
- Online Play: Allows you to play compatible games online with friends and other players.
- NES and SNES Libraries: Access to a collection of classic NES and Super NES (SNES) games with added online functionality.
- Cloud Saves: The ability to back up your save data for most games.
- Smartphone App Features: Use of a companion smartphone app with game-specific features.
This basic subscription does not include N64 games.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
To access the Nintendo 64 library, you must upgrade to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. This enhanced subscription tier includes everything in the basic plan, plus:
- Nintendo 64 Library: A growing collection of classic Nintendo 64 games.
- SEGA Genesis Library: Access to a library of SEGA Genesis (also known as SEGA Mega Drive) titles.
- Downloadable Content (DLC): Access to select DLC for Nintendo first-party titles (for example, Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise).
This Expansion Pack is required to play N64 games.
How Much Does it Cost?
The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is more expensive than the basic membership. While the pricing might vary slightly by region, the standard cost is around $49.99 USD for an individual 12-month membership. This is a significant jump from the basic plan, but it reflects the additional content provided.
It’s crucial to note that the Expansion Pack cannot be purchased separately. It’s only available as a higher-tier subscription. Therefore, if your primary goal is to play N64 games, you will need to pay the full cost of this premium membership. There is no way to “just pay for N64 access”.
How to Access N64 Games
To start playing N64 games, you will need to:
- Purchase a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.
- Download the Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Switch Online app from the Nintendo eShop. This app is the portal for all the N64 games available with the membership.
- Start the app and choose a game to play.
The app works like a virtual console, providing a nostalgic experience of playing these classic titles on your Nintendo Switch.
Why the Cost?
Some may question the cost of the Expansion Pack. Several factors likely contribute to the price:
- Licensing Costs: Acquiring the rights to host these classic games, especially from third-party publishers, involves significant licensing fees.
- Development Costs: Retrofitting these games to work flawlessly on the Nintendo Switch requires development time and resources.
- Enhanced Features: The inclusion of added online functionality to classic titles adds further value.
- Overall Package: The inclusion of SEGA Genesis games and select DLC further justifies the price point of the Expansion Pass.
The Expansion Pack, therefore, isn’t just about accessing a simple library of ROMs. It involves complex licensing and technical work that directly influences the cost.
Is it Worth It?
Ultimately, whether the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is worth the price depends on your individual interests. If you are a huge fan of Nintendo 64 games and regularly play both new and retro titles, then the higher-tier membership could be a great value. If you are not interested in the SEGA Genesis library or DLC, but still love playing the N64 games, you would still have to pay full price for the expansion pack. If you mostly play other types of games, the base membership may better serve you.
Conclusion
In summary, while there are some free games available on the Nintendo Switch, playing N64 games requires a paid membership to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. It is not a standalone purchase, and the basic membership will not grant you access. Consider your gaming habits and interests before deciding whether the Expansion Pack is the right choice for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about accessing N64 games on the Nintendo Switch, providing further clarification:
1. Can I play N64 games on Switch without an online subscription?
No. Access to N64 games on the Switch is exclusively tied to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription service.
2. Is there a free trial for the Expansion Pack?
There is usually a free trial for the basic Nintendo Switch Online, but not specifically for the Expansion Pack. You would need to sign up for the basic trial, then upgrade to the Expansion Pack to access the N64 library.
3. Can I buy N64 games individually on Switch?
No, N64 games are not sold individually on the Nintendo Switch. They are only accessible through the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.
4. Do I need a constant internet connection to play N64 games?
You need an internet connection to download the Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Switch Online app and the games themselves. After that, you can generally play offline, but will occasionally need to verify your membership online.
5. Are the N64 games enhanced on Switch?
Some games may have minor visual and performance improvements compared to their original N64 releases. Online multiplayer functionality is added to compatible titles.
6. What N64 games are available on Switch?
The library of N64 games on the Nintendo Switch is constantly growing and includes titles like Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart 64, Star Fox 64, GoldenEye 007, and many more. New games are added over time.
7. Does the Expansion Pack include games from other consoles?
Yes, besides N64 games, the Expansion Pack also includes SEGA Genesis titles and access to select DLC for Nintendo first-party games.
8. Is the Expansion Pack membership only for one account?
Just like the basic membership, an individual Expansion Pack membership is only for one Nintendo Account. If you have multiple accounts on a single Switch system, each account will need its own membership to access the N64 games.
9. Can I play multiplayer N64 games online?
Yes, many N64 games included in the Expansion Pack are compatible with online multiplayer.
10. Why is the Expansion Pack more expensive than the basic online membership?
The higher price is due to the added content such as the N64 and Genesis libraries, as well as the inclusion of select DLC and licensing costs associated with those titles.
11. Do I need the basic Nintendo Switch Online membership before subscribing to the expansion pack?
No. You can subscribe directly to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, there is no need to have the base subscription active.
12. Can I play local multiplayer with N64 games?
Yes, some N64 games support local multiplayer with multiple controllers on the same console.
13. Will all N64 games come to the Switch?
While Nintendo is regularly adding games, it is unlikely that every single N64 game will be made available on the Switch.
14. Is the expansion pack worth the price if I just want to play N64 games?
Whether it’s worth it is subjective. If you are a huge fan of N64 games and would play them often, the Expansion Pack could be worth the cost. Consider the total cost in relation to the games you’ll actually play.
15. What happens to the N64 games if my expansion pack membership expires?
If your subscription ends, you will lose access to the N64 library and any associated benefits until you renew your membership.