Nintendo Switch Onlinehas had an interesting history. When the system first launched, it did not come with a paid service. For much of the Switch’s first year, using online features in all of its games was free. Eventually, however, Nintendo released theNintendo Switch Onlineservice, which retroactively limited online use in all Switch games. The service was affordable compared to those offered by PlayStation and Xbox, and also offered a steadily growing library of NES and later SNES games. It wasn’t the best service or using the best online infrastructure, but it was a reasonable ask with some nice benefits.
Late in 2021, Nintendo revealed the next step for Switch Online: Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, a higher price tier for the online service. Buying this also gave users agrowing roster of N64 and Sega Genesis games. Due to emulator issues and the higher price tag, Nintendo fans weren’t eager to add the Expansion Pack to their expenses. The library and, seemingly, the N64 emulator’s functionality have improved over time, but it will take a lot more than that to win over many who just want online play. The secret to doing so may lie in the Expansion Pack’s one other incentive: offering select DLC packs as part of its package.
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The Expansion Pack Could Be a Huge Boon to Switch Online Subscribers
While investing extra money into the service seems pointless right now, heavy Nintendo Switch users may find that the deal sounds sweeter as Nintendo continues to add DLC to it. Should they have paid DLC, online-centric titles like theupcomingMario Strikers: Battle LeagueandSplatoon 3could produce great additions to the Expansion Pack. Even ifSplatoon 3has another singleplayer expansion, that would still be a value-add if it was immediately placed in the service. IfThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2also has a season pass, it can join in as well. Nintendo should focus on including as many large DLC packs and season passes in the Expansion Pack as it can.
Older DLC Will Draw More Switch Owners Toward the Expansion Pack
Speaking ofBreath of the Wild, Nintendo should strongly consider expanding the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack’s DLC incentives to include older games. Retroactively adding larger paid DLC to the service will draw a lot of attention to it, especially if bigger games are prioritized. The firstBreath of the Wildhas a fair bit of unique content in its season pass, but the challenge-focused nature of it may not appeal to potential buyers. Expansion Pack owners could get the chance to try it out.Splatoon 2’s Octo Expansionis a challenging singleplayer DLC in the same vein, with the bonus of being a primarily multiplayer game that encourages buying Nintendo Switch Online.
Other paid post-launch content would make for obvious additions to the service.Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s two Fighters Passes are ideal, as they would be supporting a game with online multiplayer, and their notoriety would benefit the Expansion Pack itself.Pokemon SwordandShield’s Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLC would also be great incentives, andPokemon Homecould even be rolled in with its normal fees substituted for those of the service. With the chance to try out things likeHyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity’s DLC and perhaps other future content like thefan-requested DLCMario Party Superstars, there is a lot of value Nintendo can add to the Expansion Pack through bonus DLC.
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