A Nintendo Switch Online subscription expands your gaming options, but there a few different kinds to choose from.

If you buy the original Nintendo Switch, the dinky Switch Lite or the shiny new OLED Switch, you'll have heaps of stellar games to choose from. However, if you want to get access to online multiplayer and a library of classic Nintendo 64, SNES, NES and Sega Genesis titles, you should consider signing up for Switch Online and checking out its Expansion Pack tier. It also gives you access to Animal Crossing: New Horizons' paid expansion at no extra cost.

The N64 selection is expanding Thursday, with 1998 classic Banjo-Kazooie joining the library.

The subscription service lets you race against faraway friends in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, battle distant rivals in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and trade with fellow trainers in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. It also includes support for cloud backup of game data, access to the Nintendo Switch phone app and a few exclusive offers. Let's take a look at the whole lot.

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How much does Nintendo Switch Online cost?

The basic plan will set you back $4 for a month, $8 for three months or $20 for a year. You could also opt for the $35 family plan, which is designed for households with a bunch of people who want their own accounts -- it lets up to eight people play online, use cloud saves, access the SNES and NES libraries and other basic features for a year.

You also have another option -- a Nintendo Switch Online plus Expansion Pack subscription. This gives you access to a larger library of classic games, from the N64 and Genesis, along with the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise DLC expansion.