Is The Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack Worth It In 2023?
The Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack has been out for over a year now, and Nintendo Switch owners are still debating whether the extra cost is worthwhile. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: the Expansion Pack is a good value for nostalgic gamers who want to revisit N64 and Genesis classics, but more casual players can probably skip it.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into all the details of what’s included with the Expansion Pack, who it’s best suited for, and whether the price bump over a regular Online membership provides good value.
What’s Included in the Expansion Pack
If you’re a Nintendo Switch owner, you may be wondering whether the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack is worth the investment in 2023. Let’s take a closer look at what’s included in the expansion pack to help you make an informed decision.
Access to N64 and Genesis games
One of the key features of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack is the access to a library of N64 and Genesis games. This means you’ll be able to play classic titles like Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Sonic the Hedgehog, and more.
For fans of retro gaming, this is a fantastic opportunity to relive the nostalgia of these beloved games.
Moreover, the expansion pack offers enhanced features such as online multiplayer for select N64 and Genesis games. This means you can connect with friends and family and enjoy multiplayer experiences that were once limited to local play.
Additionally, the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack allows you to save your progress in these classic games. So, you can pick up where you left off and continue your gaming adventures without losing your hard-earned progress.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise DLC
Another exciting inclusion in the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack is the Happy Home Paradise DLC for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This DLC introduces a new island where you can work as a vacation home designer for animal residents.
The Happy Home Paradise DLC adds a new level of creativity to the game, allowing you to design stunning vacation homes and create dream getaways for your animal friends. With new furniture, items, and customization options, you can create unique and personalized spaces that reflect your creativity.
Furthermore, the Happy Home Paradise DLC offers new interactions with animal residents and additional activities to engage in. Whether you’re a long-time Animal Crossing fan or new to the series, this DLC provides fresh content and hours of enjoyable gameplay.
It’s important to note that the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack includes these additional benefits alongside the existing features of the regular Nintendo Switch Online subscription. These features include online multiplayer for compatible Nintendo Switch games, access to a library of NES and Super NES games, and cloud backup for save data.
Ultimately, whether the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack is worth it in 2023 depends on your gaming preferences and how much value you place on the included features. If you’re a fan of classic N64 and Genesis games or enjoy playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the expansion pack offers great value and a wealth of new experiences to enjoy on your Nintendo Switch.
N64 and Genesis Game Library Analysis
Number of games
As of early 2023, the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack provides access to:
– 64 N64 games, including classics like Mario Kart 64, Ocarina of Time, and Star Fox 64.
– 49 Sega Genesis games, featuring Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage 2, Phantasy Star IV and more.
The N64 lineup is fairly substantial, but the Genesis catalog feels a bit light. Overall the combined 100+ games provide a solid retro library.
Quality of games
Nintendo focused on bringing top-tier games to the Expansion Pack. The N64 lineup includes nearly every critically acclaimed first-party title, like Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, and Super Smash Bros. Highlights from third-parties like Konami and Rare are also present.
The Genesis library could use a few more hits, but it still has classics like Sonic 2, Streets of Rage 2, and Castlevania: Bloodlines. Overall the quality is strong across both catalogs.
Omissions and standouts
Some odd omissions from the N64 lineup include Kirby 64, Blast Corps, and Jet Force Gemini. And the Genesis library is missing RPG classics like Phantasy Star IV. Hopefully these get added over time.
The standout additions are Banjo-Kazooie on N64 and MUSHA on Genesis. Rare’s 3D platformer is an iconic N64 game, while MUSHA is a high-demand Genesis shmup. These were huge gets for Nintendo.
While not perfect, the Expansion Pack still delivers a robust library of classics from the N64 and Genesis era.
Who Is the Expansion Pack For?
The Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack is a subscription service that offers additional benefits and features to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. While it may not be for everyone, there are certain groups of gamers who could find the expansion pack particularly appealing.
Nostalgic gamers who owned N64 or Genesis
If you were a proud owner of the Nintendo 64 or the Sega Genesis back in the day, the Expansion Pack is a must-have for you. It brings back the beloved classics from these iconic consoles, allowing you to relive your childhood memories.
From Super Mario 64 to Sonic the Hedgehog, you can now enjoy these timeless games on your Nintendo Switch. It’s a trip down memory lane that is sure to put a smile on your face.
Big Animal Crossing fans
For Animal Crossing enthusiasts, the Expansion Pack unlocks a whole new level of gameplay. With the inclusion of the Happy Home Paradise DLC, players can now explore a tropical island and design dream homes for their animal friends.
This expansion adds hours of fun and creativity to the already addictive Animal Crossing experience. If you simply can’t get enough of Tom Nook and his adorable villagers, the Expansion Pack is definitely worth considering.
Retro enthusiasts seeking old-school games
If you have a passion for retro gaming and enjoy the simplicity of old-school titles, the Expansion Pack has got you covered. It offers a library of classic NES and SNES games, giving you access to a wide range of timeless gems.
From Super Mario Bros. to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, there’s something for everyone. Whether you want to revisit your favorite childhood games or discover hidden gems from the past, the Expansion Pack provides a nostalgic experience like no other.
Is the Expansion Pack Worth the Extra Cost?
The Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack has been a topic of discussion among gamers since its release. With the additional cost it brings, many users are wondering if the expansion pack truly offers enough value to justify the price.
In this article, we will explore different aspects of the expansion pack to help you make an informed decision.
Price comparison to N64 Virtual Console
One of the main selling points of the expansion pack is the inclusion of N64 games. These classic titles bring back nostalgic memories for many gamers. To determine if the expansion pack is worth it, let’s compare its price to what we used to pay for N64 Virtual Console games.
In the past, purchasing individual N64 games on the Virtual Console could cost around $10 each. With the expansion pack, you gain access to a library of N64 games for a slightly higher price. However, the ability to play multiple N64 games for one fee can be seen as a cost-effective option for fans of these classics.
Value assessment of included games
The expansion pack not only offers N64 games but also Sega Genesis games. These titles broaden the selection of games available to play, adding more value to the package. While the number of games may be limited compared to other gaming platforms, the inclusion of beloved titles like “Super Mario 64” and “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” makes the expansion pack appealing to fans of these iconic franchises.
Additionally, the expansion pack offers online multiplayer capabilities for compatible games, enhancing the multiplayer experience. This added feature can greatly enhance the value of the expansion pack, especially for those who enjoy playing games with friends or family.
Lack of continued updates and new content
One concern raised by users is the lack of continued updates and new content for the expansion pack. While Nintendo has been regularly adding new games to its online service, the addition of new N64 or Sega Genesis titles to the expansion pack has been relatively slow.
This may disappoint gamers who were expecting a more frequent release schedule. However, it’s important to note that Nintendo has made efforts to improve and expand its online offerings in the past, so there is still potential for future updates and additions.
Conclusion
The Expansion Pack adds some excellent classic games to Switch Online, but the library is still quite limited. For hardcore retro gamers intent on revisiting classics, it’s a good value. But more casual nostalgic gamers may be better off waiting to see if Nintendo expands the catalog further before subscribing.
