The Nintendo Switch Online logo
Nintendo Switch Online is an online gaming network and subscription service acting similarly to Sony's PlayStation Network and PlayStation Plus and Microsoft's Xbox network and Xbox Game Pass that grants players online play for compatible Nintendo Switch games. Nintendo Switch Online launched on September 18, 2018, in North America[1] and on September 19, 2018, in Japan, Europe, and Oceania,[2][3][4] following a "free trial" period where Nintendo offered online services free of charge from the launch of the Nintendo Switch. It is the third online network service created by Nintendo, after Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (which launched during the release of Mario Kart DS in 2005) and the Nintendo Network (which launched on January 26, 2012). To use the service, players must pay a subscription fee for a plan lasting in increments of one month, three months, or 12 months. A week-long trial period is available to use, after which payment will automatically begin renewing for the specified plan unless auto-renewal is turned off. The Nintendo Switch is also able to synchronize with smartphones via an application of the same name; this allows for online capability to invite friends to play online, set play appointments, voice chat with friends on online matches, and other game-specific features.[5] Subscribers can also find Nintendo Switch Online-specific news and information in an application of the same name on the Switch's home menu. Basic online features such as the Nintendo eShop and system updates do not require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to access.
Features[edit]
The Nintendo Switch Online service includes an application called Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online, which gives subscribers access to a selection of NES/Famicom games that can be played cooperatively or competitively with other players online. The Nintendo Switch Online service also includes a cloud backup feature that allows the player to save their data online for easy access. When playing NES/Famicom games online, other players can display a cursor onscreen to point out hints and secrets.[6] Donkey Kong, Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros., Dr. Mario, Super Mario Bros. 3, and Yoshi were among the 20 NES titles made available at the service's launch,[7] with new titles added in the following months.[6]
As part of the service's exclusive offers, subscribers can also purchase a pair of NES-styled wireless controllers, which feature extra and shoulder buttons similar to the Joy-Con's and buttons and can be connected to the console itself to recharge in a similar fashion. While both NES controllers are identical, as with the original Famicom controllers, the Famicom-styled wireless controllers exclusive to Japanese subscribers are slightly different from each other, with the left controller featuring the and buttons, and the right controller featuring the volume slider and microphone.[8]
In the September 2019 Nintendo Direct, Nintendo announced Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online, a follow-up to the previous application featuring a selection of SNES/Super Famicom titles, which launched on September 5, 2019, in North America and on September 6, 2019, in Japan, Europe, and Oceania.[9][10] Super Mario Kart, Super Mario World, and Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island were among the 20 SNES titles made available at the service's launch, with additional titles being added thereafter. SNES/Super Famicom-styled wireless controllers were also made available.[11][12][dead link]
In the September 2021 Nintendo Direct, Nintendo announced an "Expansion Pack" (Japanese: 追加パック, Tsuika Pakku) to the subscription, and it was released on October 25, 2021, in North America[13] and on October 26, 2021, in Japan, Europe, and Oceania.[14][15][16] The Expansion Pack subscription plan includes all of the content in the base plan with the addition of Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games, Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise (added on November 5, 2021), Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass (added on March 18, 2022), and Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion (added on April 22, 2022). As with previous platforms, Nintendo 64- and Sega Genesis-styled wireless controllers were also made available.[17][18][dead link][19][20] Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Yoshi's Story, and Mario Tennis were among the games that were made available with the launch of Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online, with more games being made available in following months.
In the February 2023 Nintendo Direct, Game Boy - Nintendo Switch Online and Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Switch Online were announced and released shortly after the presentation, with the latter being exclusive to the Expansion Pack.[21] The former includes both Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, while the latter includes Game Boy Advance games. Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, Game & Watch Gallery 3, and Wario Land 3 were among the games that were made available with the launch of the former, while Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga were among the games made available with the launch of the latter.
In October 2024, the music streaming mobile application Nintendo Music was released, available exclusively to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, allowing users to play music from Nintendo games. Super Mario Bros., Dr. Mario, Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Super Mario Odyssey were among the games with included music at launch, with more games to be added in the future.
Super Mario-related software that use Nintendo Switch Online to play online[edit]
The following software require or required a subscription to play online:
Minecraft (Bedrock Edition)
- ^ a b c d This software can be played only by Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.
- ^ This software could be downloaded and played only by Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.
- ^ a b This software can be played only by Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack subscribers.
Super Mario Odyssey, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, and games in the Arcade Archives line do not require a subscription at all to access online functionality. In the cases of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, both versions of Minecraft, and Mario Tennis Aces, which released before Nintendo Switch Online became available, a subscription was not required for online features until the release of the service.
Pricing[edit]
Nintendo Switch Online
Subscription length
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Japan[22]
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North America
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Europe[23]
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Oceania[24]
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United States[25]
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Canada[26]
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Pounds
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Euros
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Australia
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New Zealand
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1 month
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¥306
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$3.99
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$4.99
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£3.49
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€3.99
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$5.95
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$6.55
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3 months
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¥815
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$7.99
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$9.99
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£6.99
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€7.99
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$11.95
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$13.15
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12 months
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Basic membership
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¥2,400
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$19.99
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CA $24.99
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£17.99
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€19.99
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$29.95
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$32.95
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Family membership
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¥4,500
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$34.99
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$44.99
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£31.49
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€34.99
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$54.95
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$60.45
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Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack
Subscription length
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Japan[22]
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North America
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Europe[23]
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Oceania[24]
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United States[25]
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Canada[26]
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Pounds
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Euros
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Australia
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New Zealand
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12 months
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Basic membership
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¥4,900
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$49.99
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$63.99
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£34.99
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€39.99
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$59.95
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$69.95
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Family membership
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¥8,900
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$79.99
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$99.99
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£59.99
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€69.99
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$109.95
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$119.95
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- Up to eight Nintendo Accounts can use the same Nintendo Switch Online membership.
Missions & Rewards[edit]
This section is under construction. Therefore, please excuse its informal appearance while it is being worked on. We hope to have it completed as soon as possible.
It has been requested that more images be uploaded for this section. Remove this notice only after the additional images have been added. Specific(s): Add missing icons.
From March 2022, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can access a "Missions & Rewards" section in the Switch's Nintendo Switch Online app where they can complete Nintendo Switch Online-specific tasks, such as opening the app, using the cloud backup feature, and playing online or a specific game on Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online, to earn My Nintendo Platinum Points, which can then be exchanged for "icon parts" (characters, backgrounds, and frames) for use in their Switch profile pictures. Icon parts can be redeemed only via a paid Nintendo Switch Online subscription—i.e., they are not redeemable for subscribers who have only an active free trial. The redeemable icon parts are categorized by game: a monthly "spotlight software" category that features a weekly selection of icon parts from a specific game, and an Animal Crossing: New Horizons category that features icon parts for residents who have birthdays in the current month. On occasions, another game can be added as a "special reward," including the Super Mario-franchise title Mario Strikers: Battle League.
Characters cost 10 Platinum Points each, while backgrounds and frames cost five. After redeeming icon parts, the player can then assemble them in the icon collection sub-screen, after which they can then be applied to their profile picture. Some of the character icons are indicated with "Character with background," meaning that some icons of the character have the background baked in for them, and thus a different background cannot be selected for them. A background or frame cannot be redeemed without redeeming a character from the same game first.
The following is a list of Super Mario-related characters featured in the spotlight software category (any character marked with "Character with Background" is marked with an asterisk). While not exclusively related to Super Mario, the September 2022 rewards featured icons from Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online, with Super Mario Bros. and Tennis being featured in wave 1, Dr. Mario in wave 2, and Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros. 3, and Punch-Out!! in wave 3. In addition, Super Mario 64 was used as one of three games for spotlight software on Nintendo 64 Online games in November 2022 (the others being Majora's Mask and Kirby 64 of the franchises The Legend of Zelda and Kirby, respectively). The spotlight software for Nintendo 64 Online games in December 2022 also included Yoshi's Story among the games for that month (alongside Ocarina of Time and F-Zero X of the series The Legend of Zelda and F-Zero, respectively). The January 2023 lineup for Nintendo 64 Online icons utilized Paper Mario and Mario Kart 64 among the three games for that month (with the only other game given focus during the month being Star Fox 64 of the Star Fox series). The icons for Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Mario Strikers: Battle League as well as the NES Online lineup were reissued on specific days between December 22 and January 6.
Super Mario Odyssey icons
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Week 6 (July 4, 2022–July 11, 2022)
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Characters
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Mario in his wedding outfit*
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Mario in his wedding outfit
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Peach in her wedding outfit
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Bowser in his wedding outfit
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Mario in his 8-bit form
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A Hammer Bro in its 8-bit form
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A Goomba in its 8-bit form
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A Bullet Bill in its 8-bit form
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A red Koopa Troopa in its 8-bit form
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A Fuzzy in its 8-bit form
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Backgrounds
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Nimbus Arena
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Nimbus Arena
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Yellow Balloon World patterns
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Beige world atlas Repeat from Week 1
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Diagonal red stripes Repeat from Week 1
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Frames
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Red with white band & Cappy icon Repeat from Week 1
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Diagonal golden stripes Repeat from Week 1
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Green Balloon World patterns Repeat from Week 1
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Diagonal white stripes with golden dots band Repeat from Week 1
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White dots with red band Repeat from Week 1
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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe icons
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Mario Strikers: Battle League icons
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Week 1 (June 9, 2022–June 16, 2022)
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Characters
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Mario doing an upper kick
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Peach kicking the soccer ball
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Toad hitting the soccer ball with their head
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Soccer Ball
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Heart team icon
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Pipe team icon
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Club team icon
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Snowflake team icon
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Music note team icon
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Backgrounds
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Mushroom Hill & Lava Castle
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Red hivecomb pattern
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Painted yellow background
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Spiky circle-shaped club frame
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Cross-shaped club frame
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Shield-shaped club frame
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Shield-shaped club frame
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Medal-shaped club frame
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Frames
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Blue hivecomb pattern
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Yellow hivecomb pattern
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Gray hivecomb pattern
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Painted yellow background
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Painted gray background
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Week 2 (June 16, 2022–June 23, 2022)
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Characters
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Mario doing a slide kick
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Donkey Kong hitting the soccer ball
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Wario holding the soccer ball
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Gear team icon
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Wings team icon
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Viking hat team icon
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Rocket team icon
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Mushroom team icon
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Backgrounds
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Mushroom Hill & Lava Castle, shaded under red and yellow
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Yellow hivecomb pattern
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Painted gray background
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Circle-shaped club frame
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Shield-shaped club frame
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Shield-shaped club frame
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Shield-shaped club frame
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Shield-shaped club frame
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Frames
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Red hivecomb pattern
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Gray hivecomb pattern
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Magenta hivecomb pattern
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Vibrant yellow background
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Painted dark gray background
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Week 3 (June 23, 2022–June 30, 2022)
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Characters
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Mario kicking the soccer ball
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Yoshi swallowing the soccer ball
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Waluigi standing on the soccer ball
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Hat team icon
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Flaming soccer ball team icon
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Swords team icon
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Clover team icon
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Crown team icon
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Backgrounds
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Mushroom Hill & Lava Castle, shaded under yellow
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Magenta hivecomb pattern
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Painted dark gray background
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Spiky circle-shaped club frame
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Cross-shaped club frame
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Shield-shaped club frame
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Shield-shaped club frame
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Medal-shaped club frame
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Frames
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Blue hivecomb pattern Repeat from Week 1
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Yellow hivecomb pattern Repeat from Week 1
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Gray hivecomb pattern Repeat from Week 1
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Painted yellow background Repeat from Week 1
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Painted gray background Repeat from Week 1
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Week 4 (June 30, 2022–July 7, 2022)
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Characters
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Luigi kicking a soccer ball
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Bowser breathing fire on a soccer ball
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Rosalina carrying a soccer ball
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Boom Boom withholding a soccer ball from scoring
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Lightning team icon
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Spiky soccer ball team icon
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Yoshi Egg team icon
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Soccer ball with wings team icon
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Tornado team icon
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Backgrounds
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Mushroom Hill & Lava Castle, shaded under gray
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Blue hivecomb pattern
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Vibrant yellow background
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Circle-shaped club frame
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Shield-shaped club frame
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Shield-shaped club frame
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Shield-shaped club frame
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Shield-shaped club frame
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Frames
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Red hivecomb pattern Repeat from Week 2
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Gray hivecomb pattern Repeat from Week 2
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Magenta hivecomb pattern Repeat from Week 2
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Vibrant yellow background Repeat from Week 2
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Painted dark gray background Repeat from Week 2
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Super Mario 3D World Bowser's Fury icons
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Super Mario Bros. Wonder icons
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WarioWare: Move It! icons
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Super Mario RPG icons
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Week 1 (November 16, 2023–November 23, 2023)
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Characters
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Backgrounds
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Frames
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Week 2 (November 23, 2023–November 30, 2023)
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Characters
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Backgrounds
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Frames
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Week 3 (November 30, 2023–December 7, 2023)
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Characters
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Backgrounds
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Frames
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Happy Holidays! icons (2023)
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Mario vs. Donkey Kong icons
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Super Mario World icons
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Princess Peach: Showtime! icons
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Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island icons
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Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door icons
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Donkey Kong icons
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Luigi's Mansion 2 HD icons
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Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels icons
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Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition icons
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Donkey Kong Country icons
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Super Mario Party Jamboree icons
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Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest icons
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Mario & Luigi: Brothership icons
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Happy Holidays! icons (2024)
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Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins icons
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Gallery[edit]
Names in other languages[edit]
Language
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Name
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Meaning
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Notes
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Japanese
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ニンテンドースイッチオンライン[?] Nintendō Suitchi Onrain
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Nintendo Switch Online
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References[edit]
Nintendo Switch Online coverage on other
NIWA wikis:
- ^ Nintendo of America (September 12, 2018). #NintendoSwitchOnline memberships will start on 9/18. You can sign-up for a 7-day free trial from Nintendo #eShop at launch! We will introduce more information during the Nintendo Direct on 9/13.. X (American English). Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Nintendo (September 12, 2018). 「Nintendo Switch Online」の正式スタート日は9月19日(水)に決まりました。正式スタート後は、ニンテンドーeショップにて7日間無料体験もご用意します。サービス内容については改めて「Nintendo Direct 2018.9.14」でご紹介します。. X (Japanese). Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ NintendoEurope (September 12, 2018). The #NintendoSwitchOnline paid membership service will start on 19/09. You can sign-up for a 7-day free trial from Nintendo #eShop at launch! We will introduce more information during the #NintendoDirect on 14/09.. X (British English). Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ NintendoAUNZ (September 12, 2018). X (Australian English).
- ^ Nintendo (January 12, 2017). Nintendo Switch Presentation 2017. YouTube. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ a b Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online
- ^ Nintendo Entertainment System™ - Nintendo Switch Online. Nintendo Official Site (American English). Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Nintendo Switch Online 加入者限定特典 ファミリーコンピュータ コントローラー. Nintendo (Japanese). Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ NintendoEurope (September 4, 2019). Exclusively for members, these 20 classic #SuperNES games can be played from 06/09 with Super Nintendo Entertainment System – #NintendoSwitchOnline! Members can enjoy select games with local or online multiplayer, and more games will be added soon! #NintendoDirect. X (British English). Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ NintendoAUNZ (September 4, 2019). Exclusively for members, these 20 classic #SuperNES games can be played from 6/9 with Super Nintendo Entertainment System – #NintendoSwitchOnline! Members can enjoy select games with local or online multiplayer, and more games will be added soon! #NintendoDirect. X (Australian English). Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Nintendo of America (September 4, 2019). Nintendo Direct 9.4.2019 (23:06). YouTube. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Nintendo (September 4, 2019). Nintendo Direct 2019.9.5. YouTube (Japanese). Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ @NintendoAmerica (October 16, 2021). Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack launches 10/25!. X (American English). Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ @Nintendo (October 16, 2021). [任天堂HP]「Nintendo Switch Online 追加パック」のページを公開しました。10月26日(火)よりサービス開始。「Nintendo Switch Online」の遊びがさらに広がる新しい料金プランです。. X (Japanese). Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ @NintendoEurope (October 16, 2021). #NintendoSwitchOnline Expansion Pack launches 26/10!. X. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ @NintendoAUNZ (October 16, 2021). #NintendoSwitchOnline Expansion Pack launches 26/10!. X. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Nintendo (September 23, 2021). Nintendo Direct - 9.23.2021. YouTube. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ Nintendo 公式チャンネル (September 24, 2021). Nintendo Direct 2021.9.24. YouTube. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ @NintendoEurope (September 23, 2021). Play a growing library of Nintendo 64 and SEGA Mega Drive games anytime, anywhere with #NintendoSwitchOnline Expansion Pack, a new membership launching in late October.. X (British English). Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ @NintendoAUNZ (September 24, 2021). Play a growing library of Nintendo 64 and SEGA Mega Drive games anytime, anywhere with #NintendoSwitchOnline Expansion Pack, a new membership launching in late October.. X (Australian English). Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Nintendo of America (February 8, 2023). Nintendo Switch Online - Game Boy & Game Boy Advance Announcement - Nintendo Direct 2.8.23. YouTube (American English). Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ a b Nintendo Switch Online. Nintendo (Japanese). Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Nintendo Switch Online. Nintendo UK (British English). Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Nintendo Switch Online official website. Nintendo Australia (Australian English). Archived September 7, 2018, 03:29:07 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Nintendo Switch Online official website. Nintendo of America (American English). Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Nintendo Switch Online official website. Nintendo Canada (Canadian English). Retrieved May 29, 2024.