Nintendo’s Switch Online service has become a better deal over time, offering more benefits than just being able to play games online. In addition to getting access to SNES and NES classics and cloud save backups (save a few dozen on most games), Nintendo announced an even bigger perk yesterday: discounted game vouchers.
All subscribers can purchase two packs of these vouchers for $99.98 and a huge range of first-party (in other words, usually anti-discount) Nintendo games. I encourage you to check out the full list, but some highlights include the brand new Fire Emblem Engage, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, Metroid Dread, Splatoon 3, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Important note: You must both be subscribers to purchase and use these vouchers.
It’s great that this list is more extensive than Nintendo’s first swing at this deal in 2019. But this perk could actually make Switch Online a must-have service because it allows you to pre-purchase up to four sets of vouchers (eight games total). and store them for 12 months from the date of purchase. With $20 in savings with each pair of vouchers, buying a four-pack will save you up to $80, assuming each title would normally cost $59.99. If you buy a lot of games, this is a smart way to save some money on each upcoming purchase.
I know what you might be thinking, “Can I use one in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom?” Currently, Nintendo has not listed the highly anticipated sequel to Breath of the Wild, which is due for release on May 12, 2023. Polygon has reached out to Nintendo to see if it would eventually qualify, but did not hear back in time for publication.
You can get a free seven-day trial of Switch Online here, and you can easily subscribe to the service directly from the Switch e-store (it costs $3.99 per month, $7.99 for three months, or $19.99 per year). However, you can purchase (or gift) a one-year subscription with a digital code through Best Buy for $19.99. With a family subscription that costs $34.99 per year, up to eight Switch accounts can take advantage of Switch Online.
For players who want all the benefits, access to Goldeneye 007 and other N64 and Sega Genesis games, as well as free DLC for some Switch games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, you’ll need Nintendo’s Switch Online plus the Expansion Pack tier, which costs $49. 99 per year for a single account or $79.99 per year for a family plan.
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