You Can Subscribe To Nintendo Switch Online Using My Nintendo Points

Nintendo's online subscription service for Switch launches on September 18, meaning you'll need to pay to play Switch games like Splatoon 2 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe online after that date. Naturally, you'll be able to purchase a subscription either through the Eshop or at retailers, but you also have another option for paying for the membership: My Nintendo points.

As is the case with many digital Switch games and DLC, you'll be able to use your My Nintendo Gold points toward the purchase of a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. However, as detailed on Nintendo's support website, the points cannot be used for automatic renewals. You also have the option to pay for a subscription using a PayPal account.

Gold points are one of two point tiers you can earn using the My Nintendo rewards program. These are accumulated as you purchase Switch games, but the amount you'll receive varies depending on if you buy the titles at retail or digitally through the Eshop. You can read the precise breakdown on My Nintendo.

Nintendo is offering Switch Online subscriptions in three increments: one month (US $4 / £3.49 / AU $6), three months (US $8 / £7 / AU $12), and 12 months (US $20 / £18 / AU $30). You'll also have the option to sign up for a 12-month Family Plan, which costs US $35 / £31.49 / AU $55 a year and covers up to eight Nintendo Account holders, even on different consoles. When the service launches, you'll be able to sign up for a free seven-day trial, but that will turn into a one-month subscription if you don't cancel before the free period ends.

In addition to online play, signing up for the Nintendo Switch Online service grants you access to a library of NES games, special member-exclusive offers, and the ability to back up most Switch game save data via the cloud--although there are some restrictions. You can read more about the service in our roundup of everything we know about Nintendo Switch Online.