Updated — In Gaming → Standalone, Nintendo Switch Online is available on Direct. The Nintendo Switch Online free trial lets you try online play, dive into retro game libraries, and turn on cloud saves for supported titles. It’s a simple way to see if the perks match how you actually play.
Key details
| Service | Nintendo Switch Online |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Direct |
| Trial available | Yes |
| Trial length | 7 days |
| Trial type | Standard |
| Credit card required | Yes |
| After the trial | $3.99/mo |
| Included plan(s) | Standard |
Start your free trial
Ready to test the Nintendo Switch Online free trial? Use the official Direct link below to get started.
What you get during the Nintendo Switch Online free trial
Think of the Nintendo Switch Online free trial as a quick, no-commitment way to unlock the essentials: online play for supported games, access to classic Nintendo libraries, and cloud saves. It focuses on the Standard plan, so you can sample the core experience that most Switch owners use every day.
Online play and cloud saves
- Online play: The trial lets you jump into online multiplayer where supported, so you can see how your favorite titles feel with friends or matchmaking.
- Cloud saves: Turn on cloud backups for compatible games and test the peace of mind that comes with synced save data.
Retro favorites, ready to revisit
The Standard plan in the Nintendo Switch Online free trial highlights classic collections from Nintendo’s early eras:
- NES and SNES libraries featuring staples like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.
- Curated catalogs that are built for quick nostalgia hits and short sessions.
If your goal is reliving old-school platformers or sampling the roots of beloved series, this trial will show you exactly what that feels like on your Switch.
About Nintendo 64 and Genesis
Some classics—such as Mario Kart 64 or GoldenEye 007—are available with the Expansion Pack tier. They’re great examples of what the broader ecosystem offers, but the Nintendo Switch Online free trial here is for the Standard plan. Keep that in mind as you evaluate what you want after the trial.