Nintendo has always emphasized bringing players together, and with their Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) service, the company opens up a world of online gaming possibilities.
For those who haven’t yet experienced the benefits of an NSO subscription, there’s exciting news – Nintendo is offering a special, extended free trial for a limited time!
Don’t believe us? See Nintendo of America‘s announcement on X below.
Play together, play classic games featuring Mario, and have fun this #Mar10Day with a free trial of #NintendoSwitchOnline.
For a limited time, you can make the fun last even longer with a 14-day trial! Offer ends 3/17!https://t.co/nTaON5cbTR pic.twitter.com/1rzpCXbvmX
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 5, 2024
What is Nintendo Switch Online?
Nintendo Switch Online is a subscription service that enhances the multiplayer experience on your Nintendo Switch console. Here’s a breakdown of the primary features:
- Online play: The key attraction! Battle it out or team up with players worldwide in an ever-growing library of online-compatible Nintendo Switch games. Smash rivals in “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate”, build your dream island in “Animal Crossing: New Horizons”, or race to glory in “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe”
- Classic games library: Enjoy a massive, curated selection of retro games from the NES and Super NES era. Relive classics like “Super Mario Bros. 3”, “The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past”, and countless other nostalgic gems
- Cloud saves: Protect your precious game progress by securely storing save data in the cloud. Rest easy knowing you can pick up where you left off, even on a different Switch console
- Exclusive offers: NSO members get access to special promotions, including occasional full game trials and discounts on the Nintendo eShop
How to claim the Nintendo Switch Online free trial
Ready to try NSO for yourself? This new extended free trial is a sweet deal! Typically, the free trial only lasts for 7 days, but this special offer doubles it to a full 14 days of access. That’s a lot more time to explore everything Nintendo Switch Online has to offer.
Here is how to claim your Nintendo Switch Online free trial:
- Head to the official Nintendo Switch Online free trial promo site
- Look for the promotional banner or section highlighting the free trial offer. Click through and claim your trial code
- Open the Nintendo eShop on your Switch console. Navigate to the “Enter Code” section and input the code you received
Just keep in mind, this promotion won’t last forever and it is set to end on 17/3. So act fast if you’re interested.
How much does Switch Online cost?
Here’s a breakdown of the costs for Nintendo Switch Online:
- Individual Memberships
- 1 Month: $3.99 USD
- 3 Months: $7.99 USD
- 12 Months: $19.99 USD
- Family Membership
- 12 Months: $34.99 USD (Supports up to 8 Nintendo accounts)
- Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
- Individual Membership
- 12 Months: $49.99 USD
- Family Membership
- 12 Months: $79.99 USD (Supports up to 8 Nintendo accounts)
- Individual Membership
The Expansion Pack adds:
- Access to select Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genesis games
- Access to select Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles
- DLC for specific games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass
Keep in mind that prices may vary slightly depending on your region and if you are unhappy with the service, be sure to check out our coverage on how to cancel automatic renewal in Nintendo Switch Online.
Watch out for March 10
Nintendo’s efforts to strengthen partnerships with other industry leaders, such as Microsoft, could result in an even greater expansion of retro titles available through Nintendo Switch Online. The recent addition of classic games developed by Rare, now a Microsoft-owned studio, suggests a wider array of nostalgic titles may be coming to the service. This diversification of the library could be a compelling factor in attracting more veteran gamers to the subscription model.
Additionally, March 10th holds the potential for exciting Super Mario announcements.
Speculation centers around further details on the HD release of Luigi’s Mansion 2, as well as potential news regarding Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.
With Princess Peach: Showtime launching on March 22nd, this year promises to be an exciting one for Mario fans.
Featured image credit: Lucas Santos/Unsplash.
