Here's Everything Coming To Nintendo Switch Online When Nintendo Switch 2 Launches

Nintendo Switch 2 Gets New Features On June 5Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, and from day one, some of the new console's capabilities will be tied to a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Nintendo charges $20 annually for the basic version of Nintendo Switch Online and $50 annually for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. As we enter the Switch 2 era, a subscription to one of these services increasingly looks like a necessity.Currently, a subscription will net you access to online play for Nintendo Switch games and a game catalog that includes Tetris 99 and classics from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, and Nintendo 64 libraries. Here's a roundup of all the features being added to the service alongside Nintendo Switch 2. GameChatThe biggest new Nintendo Switch 2 feature tied to Nintendo Switch Online is GameChat. By pressing the C button on the Switch 2's right Joy-Con 2, players can group up and chat with their friends in Discord-like calls. It's possible for each person on a call to stream live footage of the game they're playing to their friends. If someone owns a Nintendo Switch 2 camera, they can even stream a live look at themselves to those on the call.GameChat will eventually require a basic Nintendo Switch Online subscription. However, a free open-access period for all Nintendo Switch 2 owners will take place between June 5, 2025, and March 31, 2026. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch 2 EditionThe rest of these additions are for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers. For example, Expansion Pack subscribers will get access to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Normally, those who own a Nintendo Switch game with a Switch 2 Edition will have to pay a fee to upgrade. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 EditionThe upgrade pack that grants access to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition will also be available to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers. Note that you do need to own Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch to access these benefits. Zelda NotesThe Nintendo Switch Online app will soon be rebranded as the Nintendo Switch app. When that happens, Switch Online subscribers will be able to access a part of the app called Zelda Notes. By using Zelda Notes, players can look at a map of Hyrule, listen to audio logs, share autobuilds, and more via their phone. Obviously, this pairs well with the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. GameCube Games On Nintendo Switch OnlineThe most exciting addition to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack when Switch 2 launches will be the classics catalog for Nintendo GameCube. It'll function similarly to the other retro gaming catalogs available through Nintendo's subscription service. Three games will be available as part of the GameCube's classics catalog on June 5-- F-Zero GX, SoulCalibur II, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.Nintendo has already confirmed that more GameCube games will become available to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers over time, including the following:Super Mario SunshineFire Emblem: Path of RadiancePokemon XD: Gale of DarknessSuper Mario StrikersChibi-RoboLuigi's MansionPokemon Colosseum

Apr 3, 2025 - 18:30

Here's Everything Coming To Nintendo Switch Online When Nintendo Switch 2 Launches

Nintendo Switch 2 Gets New Features On June 5

Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, and from day one, some of the new console's capabilities will be tied to a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Nintendo charges $20 annually for the basic version of Nintendo Switch Online and $50 annually for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. As we enter the Switch 2 era, a subscription to one of these services increasingly looks like a necessity.

Currently, a subscription will net you access to online play for Nintendo Switch games and a game catalog that includes Tetris 99 and classics from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, and Nintendo 64 libraries. Here's a roundup of all the features being added to the service alongside Nintendo Switch 2.

GameChat

The biggest new Nintendo Switch 2 feature tied to Nintendo Switch Online is GameChat. By pressing the C button on the Switch 2's right Joy-Con 2, players can group up and chat with their friends in Discord-like calls. It's possible for each person on a call to stream live footage of the game they're playing to their friends. If someone owns a Nintendo Switch 2 camera, they can even stream a live look at themselves to those on the call.

GameChat will eventually require a basic Nintendo Switch Online subscription. However, a free open-access period for all Nintendo Switch 2 owners will take place between June 5, 2025, and March 31, 2026.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

The rest of these additions are for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers. For example, Expansion Pack subscribers will get access to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Normally, those who own a Nintendo Switch game with a Switch 2 Edition will have to pay a fee to upgrade.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

The upgrade pack that grants access to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition will also be available to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers. Note that you do need to own Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch to access these benefits.

Zelda Notes

The Nintendo Switch Online app will soon be rebranded as the Nintendo Switch app. When that happens, Switch Online subscribers will be able to access a part of the app called Zelda Notes. By using Zelda Notes, players can look at a map of Hyrule, listen to audio logs, share autobuilds, and more via their phone. Obviously, this pairs well with the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

GameCube Games On Nintendo Switch Online

The most exciting addition to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack when Switch 2 launches will be the classics catalog for Nintendo GameCube. It'll function similarly to the other retro gaming catalogs available through Nintendo's subscription service. Three games will be available as part of the GameCube's classics catalog on June 5-- F-Zero GX, SoulCalibur II, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

Nintendo has already confirmed that more GameCube games will become available to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers over time, including the following: