If you want to visit a friend's island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons or battle a team in Pokemon Sword and Shield, you'll need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. It lets up to eight people play online for a year.
You could also opt for the $35 family plan, which is meant for households with a bunch of people who want their own accounts. It'll set you back $4 for a month, $8 for three months or $20 for a year. A subscription also includes support for cloud backup of game data, access to the Nintendo Switch phone app and a few exclusive offers. Ultimate and trade with fellow trainers in the forthcoming Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. The subscription service lets you race against faraway friends in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, battle distant rivals in Super Smash Bros. However, if you want to get access to online multiplayer and a library of classic titles that includes Super Metroid, you should consider signing up for Switch Online. If you buy the original Nintendo Switch, the Switch Lite or the upcoming OLED Switch, you'll have plenty of stellar games to choose from. A Nintendo Switch Online subscription expands your gaming options.
