Nintendo Switch Online provides online multiplayer, cloud saves, special offers, and multiplayer NES and SNES titles to the masses for a modest fee. That is, if you can figure out how to sign up for it.
In this quick guide, we're going to run you through how to get set up so you can get a few rounds of Splatoon 2 in before your lunch break's over.
If you're still on the fence and want to know what Nintendo Switch Online is capable of before you sign up, check out our FAQ. We explain everything there is to know about Nintendo Switch Online in an easily digestible format.
Sold already? Good stuff. Let's go through how to sign up on your Nintendo Switch console.
How To Sign Up For Nintendo Switch Online In Steps
Before you can sign up for Nintendo Switch Online, you need to perform a system update. So head on over to settings, scroll down to 'System', and hit 'System Update' to get the latest patch.
When it's downloaded, head on over to the eShop and follow the simple steps below:
- Scroll down to the 'Nintendo Switch Online' section of the eShop and press 'A'
- Choose 'Membership Options'
- You now have a choice. You can opt for a seven day free trial if you're unsure and want to test out the features, or you can scroll down to the 'Individual Memberships'
- If you choose the free trial, bear in mind that you are agreeing for Nintendo to sign you up to the monthly membership if you don't cancel the trial before it's up
- Check out our Switch Online Family Membership guide you'd rather sign up various family members on the same plan
- If you're set on an 'Individual Membership', opt for a monthly, quarterly, or annual option and hit 'A'
- Now, simply choose a purchase method, add any Gold Points you want to use to get a discount, and purchase it like any other game on the eShop
- Once the payment is complete, you're now a proud owner of Nintendo Switch Online!
Anything Else I Should Do?
At this point, you're set, though we'd recommend you do the following:
- Download the NES and SNES games collection so you can get playing the classics right away
- Check for updates for your favourite games that you play regularly. Chances are, you'll have a small patch to download that will enable you to use cloud saves. We wrote a guide on how they work if you're still unsure.
- If you sign up for an annual membership, get your free Splatoon 2 gear. Nintendo will send you a code shortly after purchase by email. Follow the instructions to redeem it to get your branded Nintendo Switch Online gear.
Have you got Nintendo Switch Online already? What's your favourite new feature? If not, why HAVEN'T you got it? Let us know all in the comments section below.
Comments 31
Can you try the 7 day free trial and interrupt it before that period to get a paid subscription then?
Can you try the 7 day free trial and change into a Family Plan?
More importantly, can you try the 7 day free trial with a Family Plan preestablished as the choice for the renewal?
I have one Nintendo Switch just for myself.
I think i will update my Switch first and sign the subcription.
@Moroboshi876 yes
Yes
Yes and no
You just terminate your trial and get the family sub before or the day you trial expires
@Moroboshi876 What @1Up_MARIO said
7 day free trial automatically changes into a monthly trial, but you can cancel that before it runs out and change it to another membership type - annual or family.
@FoxyGlen you can also cancel automatic renewal after you sign up to the 7 day trial which is more fair as life does make you forget things
So you can't establish a family group and for all the members to enjoy 7 days free, can you?
@Moroboshi876 no. I’m in the same boat. I’ll get it after the free trial. The family can also register for the free trial individually
signed up for 7 day trial and cancelled the auto renew, nice to have 7 days free but that will do me regarding the current line up of games.
@Moroboshi876 Nope. Every single Nintendo Account owner gets access to the 7 day free trial first anyway though, so they can try it separately then join the Family Group afterwards.
I purchased my subscription last night. Loaded up the NES titles, tried to go online and was ultimately disappointed that online was only available with friends... DAMNIT NINTENDO, GET YOUR SHXT TOGETHER! I figured the online would be random match links... 😪 and what’s the point of a voice chat app on the phone if you can just call the person instead? That definitely takes the cake on the top 10 most idiotic Nintendo ideas! 🤦🏽♂️
Cloud save does not need any patch
@FoxyGlen Cloud saving does not require any patches. It's all managed in the OS not in the games themselves.
It's giving me an error message when trying to purchase the 20 dollar yearly sub.
@Cartune yes I figured random matchmaking too. Also I had hoped for leaderboards on the nes games like the developers of the neo Geo range supply.
This needed a guide? I guess it can't hurt anything, but count me surprised.
@YeshaYahu5417 It did that for me once. I just backed out and tried again with no issues. Is it happening more than once for you?
DONE !
Now i'm waiting for NES Online installed on my Switch.
Edit: Yay...!
I have tried Super Mario Bros 3 NES.
It was so Unreal that NES games in 60 fps.
I'll eventually sign up when SNES games are available or NES games get to a decent size.
I haven’t gotten it yet, just because I’m lazy. Disappointing that I’m hearing the NES games are online with friends only and have no leaderboards.
Can you pay for online with an eshop card? Seems no info anywhere regarding payment methods.
@Sakura7 yes
@Godzil love the avatar
Judging by a lot of these comments nobody has friends with a switch to play online with. Same here 🙄
Just be careful if you wanna try only for 7 days because :
https://www.gonintendo.com/stories/318432-make-sure-to-turn-off-switch-online-s-auto-renewal-option-if-you
On the nes games now. And while I know they're only 2 button, where are the instructions for each game? You get a general history but no instructions? For example what are the power ups in Gradius? How do you play Temco Bowl? Am I missing something cos it seems like a huge oversight?
I think I will wait til March when we get my daughter her own Switch and get a Family Plan then.
I don't play online myself really, she and I play MK8 online together on our current Switch but we are getting her own so we can play AC together next year.
I figure why pay $20 now then another $20 then when we can wait and pay $5 less and also simplify things for ourselves.
Family Plan is a great thing from Nintendo. Their best idea regarding the online sub. Regardless if the online technically isn't really worth it but what can you do, right?
@Anti-Matter It was always 60 fps...
@Sakura7 Instructions and the ability to change the button configuration would be very helpful!
Yea, no instruction manuals!!! I know a lot of people say google them. But I use the PS4 for google, youtube in the living room. And pdf sites won't load on PS4. And yet the wii u access to such features on the VC is sublime...
@Cartune The point of Voice Chat on the app is so that people can use as little as simple earbuds and their phone to enable voice chat.
And the differences with calling someone are:
– it's for multiple people rather than one person.
– it's over your internet connection (preferably Wifi) instead of a more costly phone plan
– it enables voice chat with people you play online with, regardless of whether you have their phone number.
– it sorts people in the voice chat into the in-game teams.
There's room for improvement, but it's not as bad as people say.
@MadJay1664 Would also love them to release the related games on the Switch!
@Godzil that would be class!
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