- Primary Subject: Nintendo Switch Online
- Key Update: A former skeptic discovers that Nintendo Switch Online is an essential service for solo gamers due to retro libraries and cloud backup features.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: August 17, 2026
- Quick Answer: Nintendo Switch Online offers solo players immense value through retro game catalogs (Game Boy, SNES, NES, GBA), cloud save protection, and bundled DLC.
I used to be someone who never saw the point in an NSO subscription.
NSO - also known as Nintendo Switch Online - is a subscription for your Switch that allows cloud saves, online multiplayer, and access to retro game libraries. The individual plan costs $20, while a family plan costs $35 for up to eight people.
As a solo gamer, I never really saw the point in it. Until I decided to bite the bullet and try it for a month, and now I'm never going back.
You Need an NSO Subscription for Your Switch ASAP
If you're like me - someone who spent their childhood glued to their Game Boy Color and DS Lite - then you'll want to get that NSO subscription. Over time, Nintendo has dropped classic Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games onto the service. I've had the time of my life playing these old-school games, and I know I'll be clocking in hours once Pokemon Ruby is added to the Switch.
It feels like a portal straight to my childhood - but on my Switch.
I'll be honest, I'm not much of a multiplayer gamer on the Switch. I use it mostly for solo games. If you're like me, you might think the NSO isn't worth it. But, again, I need to stress the library of games you'll have access to.
Having instant access to decades of NES, SNES, Genesis, and GBA titles without dealing with ports or expensive physical retro hunting feels extremely satisfying.
Beyond the retro games, NSO provides the ultimate safety net for any games. Having Cloud Save backup means the time I’ve spent carefully decorating, arranging, and customizing my New Horizons island is safe. Plus, the fact that the Expansion Pack tier bundles massive DLCs like Happy Home Paradise is a major plus point.
The Nintendo Switch (both 1 and 2) is an amazing console, but the NSO makes it even better.
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