During the Christmas period, plenty of joyous Brits will be unwrapping their brand new Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 consoles,  looking forward to playing some of the newest titles on the platform. Nintendo fans can enjoy the likes of Mario Kart: World, Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokémon Legends: Z-A on the console throughout the Christmas period.

Gamers might want to consider subscribing to Nintendo’s online service, Nintendo Switch Online. The service unlocks a huge number of benefits for those who decide to sign up.

But what actually is it, how much does it cost and what are the benefits? We have put together a handy explainer, thanks to Nintendo, for those who are eager to fulfil the full potential of their new Nintendo Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) is a subscription that allows Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 users to play their games online (e.g. Racing online in Mario Kart World or online matches in Splatoon 3)

It also comes with additional benefits for members, such as access to a classic games library, cloud saving, and more.

For further details please see the official site right here.

NSO is available in 2 types of memberships and 2 types of tiers for each membership:

Online Play: Play online in supported Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch titles, including Mario Kart World, Splatoon 3, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and many more. (See Supported Games list)

GameChat for Nintendo Switch 2: Voice chat, share your screen, and video chat using a compatible USB-C camera in real time with your friends in this Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive feature. This feature is free to use until the 31st March 2026, afterwards a Nintendo Switch Online membership is required.

NES, SNES, and Game Boy – Nintendo Classics Library: Find old favourites or discover new ones! Play games such as The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Mario World, and Donkey Kong Country. Create multiple saves using the save states feature. Didn’t make the jump? Use the rewind feature to go back in time and try again! New titles will also be added in future.

Members’ only benefits: Members can enjoy additional benefits such as access to the Nintendo Music smart device app to listen to game soundtracks, limited-time exclusive Game Trials to try new games without purchase, exclusive games such as Tetris 99, and purchase access to physical products such as NES Controllers, SNES Controllers, N64 Controllers, the SEGA Mega Drive Control Pad, and the Nintendo GameCube Controller* for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 Consoles.

*Nintendo GameCube Controller is only compatible for Nintendo Switch 2.

The Expansion Pack membership comes with all of the above from the standard membership, plus the additional features:

• Free access to select DLC: Expansion Pack members can enjoy the following DLC and Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade Packs for no additional cost:
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass DLC
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise DLC
• Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion DLC
• N64, Game Boy Advance, SEGA Mega Drive – Nintendo Classics Library: Explore a library of games from these consoles, including titles such as Mario Kart 64, Metroid Fusion, Super Mario Bros. 3, and more. It comes with the same save states and rewind features found in the NES, SNES, and Game Boy classics library. New titles will also be added in future.
• Nintendo GameCube Nintendo Classics Library (Nintendo Switch 2 only): Nintendo Switch 2 users can enjoy GameCube classic such as The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and F-Zero GX. New titles will also be added in future.
• Coming Soon – Virtual Boy Nintendo Classics Library: Access a selection of classic Virtual Boy games on your Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch when the Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics service launches on February 17th, 2026. The dedicated Virtual Boy for Nintendo Switch 2/Nintendo Switch or Virtual Boy (Carboard Model) for Nintendo Switch 2/Nintendo Switch accessory and a paid Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership are required to use this service.