Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Review

If you have a Nintendo kid in your house, chances are you have heard the words, “Can we play online?” approximately 47,000 times.

In our house, gaming is something my 14-year-old son and I actually do together, so Nintendo Switch Online has become one of those subscriptions that I notice when we have it and REALLY notice when we don’t.

But what about the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack?

Is it actually worth paying extra for, or is it just another subscription that sounds exciting until you realize you’re barely using it?

Well, we have been putting it to the test, and as a mom who games with her teenager, here’s my honest take.

So, What Exactly Is Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack?

At its most basic level, Nintendo Switch Online gives you access to online multiplayer, cloud save backups for supported games, classic Nintendo games, Nintendo Music, and some member-exclusive offers.

The Expansion Pack takes all of that and adds a whole lot more.

We’re talking classic games from systems like the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance and SEGA Genesis, plus Virtual Boy games. If you’re playing on a Nintendo Switch 2, you also get access to Nintendo GameCube classics.

And honestly, the GameCube addition is a pretty big deal for us.

There is something really fun about being able to introduce my son to games I remember playing years ago. It is one of those rare gaming situations where I can actually say, “Oh, I played this when I was your age,” without him immediately reminding me that I am old.

Thanks, kid.

The Classic Games Are Probably My Favorite Part

I’m going to be honest.

When I first looked at the Expansion Pack, I thought the classic games would be a nice bonus that we probably wouldn’t use very often.

I was wrong.

There are a LOT of games packed into these libraries, and it has turned into a really fun way for us to revisit older games together.

You get access to select games from:

• Nintendo 64
• Game Boy Advance
• SEGA Genesis
• Virtual Boy
• NES
• Super NES
• Game Boy

And if you have a Nintendo Switch 2, you also get the growing Nintendo GameCube library.

Nintendo has continued adding games to the service, too, which makes the subscription feel less like something you buy once and forget about.

The Virtual Boy games are a particularly funny addition because, let’s be honest, the Virtual Boy was not exactly Nintendo’s greatest hardware moment.

But now we get to experience it without actually having to hunt down a working Virtual Boy.

I’ll take that win.

And Then There Is the DLC… This is where I think a lot of families should stop and do the math before deciding whether the Expansion Pack is worth it.

The membership includes select DLC at no additional charge.

What About Online Multiplayer?

Of course, the whole reason many families get Nintendo Switch Online in the first place is to play games online.

That’s still a huge part of the service.

Whether we’re playing together, playing with friends, or my son is doing his own thing online, having the membership means we don’t have to think about whether a particular game requires Nintendo Switch Online.

It just works.

And for families with kids who regularly play multiplayer Nintendo games, this is probably the least optional part of the subscription.

You can also back up compatible save data to the cloud, which is one of those features you hope you never need until something happens to your console.

Then suddenly Mom is everyone’s favorite person because the save file survived.

So Should I Get It?

For our family, yes.

The biggest reason isn’t actually one specific game.

It’s the variety.

My 14-year-old son and I can play newer games, jump into multiplayer, revisit older Nintendo games, try something neither of us has played before, and take advantage of included DLC.

And I really like that gaming doesn’t have to be a solo activity in our house.

Sometimes we’re competing.

Sometimes we’re cooperating.

Sometimes we’re both yelling at the screen.

You know, quality family bonding.

At $49.99 a year for an individual membership or $79.99 a year for a family membership, I think the Expansion Pack makes the most sense for families who are actually going to use the extras. If you’re only looking for online multiplayer, the regular Nintendo Switch Online membership is probably the better value.

But if you have a Nintendo-loving household and especially if you’ve upgraded to the Nintendo Switch 2, the Expansion Pack has enough included content that I think it’s worth taking a serious look at.

For us, it’s one of those subscriptions that has earned its spot.

And honestly, anything that gives me an excuse to sit down and game with my teenager gets bonus points from this mom.

Our verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fun for the kids: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fun for Mom: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Family gaming potential: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐