Nintendo Switch Online continues to evolve in January 2026, delivering fresh content, exclusive member benefits, and enhanced features to its active subscription base.
With a rapidly expanding catalog of games and new ways to play and connect, Nintendo underscores its commitment to retro gaming enthusiasts and modern players alike on platforms like Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and the official eShop. This month’s headline update is the free content expansion for Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Available on both the classic Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, this new update lets players decorate resort hotel rooms for their island guests.
Additionally, members can visit Slumber Island to collaborate and build with friends in a shared dream-like environment—a feature exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.
According to Nintendo, this content is designed to encourage both returning villagers and new players to experience island life anew. A technological nod to nostalgia, Nintendo has also begun accepting pre-purchases for a unique accessory that enables Virtual Boy support on both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch systems.
Paid Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members will soon be able to play selected Virtual Boy titles, complete with authentic stereoscopic 3D visuals.
To access the Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics library, users must maintain an active Expansion Pack membership, reflecting Nintendo’s pattern of celebrating classic platforms with modern technology. Retro fans have more titles to enjoy, as Nintendo has added Rayman 2: The Great Escape and Tonic Trouble to the Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics collection, among several newly available games.
Meanwhile, strategic battle enthusiasts can now play Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance on Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics, joining Ike and his companions in their fight against dark forces, available exclusively to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members on Nintendo Switch 2 hardware. Social and party gaming options have also expanded.
LEGO Party! introduces four-player competitive action across 60 inventive mini-games inspired by iconic LEGO series such as LEGO Pirates, LEGO Space, and LEGO NINJAGO.
Sports fans can dive into EA SPORTS FC 26, which features an overhauled gameplay system based on community insights.
The Authentic Gameplay mode offers a realistic football experience in Career, while Competitive Gameplay sharpens the action for Football Ultimate Team and Clubs. Adventure seekers can explore Hello Kitty and Friends, restoring an abandoned island with the help of adorable companions, while retro completionists can now earn My Nintendo Platinum Points by playing Game & Watch Gallery 3 on Game Boy – Nintendo Classics or Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones on Game Boy Advance – Nintendo Classics.
These points are redeemable for exclusive, game-inspired icon rewards. Music lovers can relive classic moments with Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance tracks now available via the Nintendo Music app, exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online members using compatible smart devices.
Nintendo Switch Online remains a premium destination for both nostalgia and innovation, as evidenced by its broadening portfolio and engagement-driven rewards.
To access these features, a Nintendo Switch Online or Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership and a Nintendo Account are required.
More details, including terms and regional availability, are available on the official Nintendo website.
With a rapidly expanding catalog of games and new ways to play and connect, Nintendo underscores its commitment to retro gaming enthusiasts and modern players alike on platforms like Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and the official eShop. This month’s headline update is the free content expansion for Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Available on both the classic Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, this new update lets players decorate resort hotel rooms for their island guests.
Additionally, members can visit Slumber Island to collaborate and build with friends in a shared dream-like environment—a feature exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.
According to Nintendo, this content is designed to encourage both returning villagers and new players to experience island life anew. A technological nod to nostalgia, Nintendo has also begun accepting pre-purchases for a unique accessory that enables Virtual Boy support on both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch systems.
Paid Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members will soon be able to play selected Virtual Boy titles, complete with authentic stereoscopic 3D visuals.
To access the Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics library, users must maintain an active Expansion Pack membership, reflecting Nintendo’s pattern of celebrating classic platforms with modern technology. Retro fans have more titles to enjoy, as Nintendo has added Rayman 2: The Great Escape and Tonic Trouble to the Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics collection, among several newly available games.
Meanwhile, strategic battle enthusiasts can now play Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance on Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics, joining Ike and his companions in their fight against dark forces, available exclusively to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members on Nintendo Switch 2 hardware. Social and party gaming options have also expanded.
LEGO Party! introduces four-player competitive action across 60 inventive mini-games inspired by iconic LEGO series such as LEGO Pirates, LEGO Space, and LEGO NINJAGO.
Sports fans can dive into EA SPORTS FC 26, which features an overhauled gameplay system based on community insights.
The Authentic Gameplay mode offers a realistic football experience in Career, while Competitive Gameplay sharpens the action for Football Ultimate Team and Clubs. Adventure seekers can explore Hello Kitty and Friends, restoring an abandoned island with the help of adorable companions, while retro completionists can now earn My Nintendo Platinum Points by playing Game & Watch Gallery 3 on Game Boy – Nintendo Classics or Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones on Game Boy Advance – Nintendo Classics.
These points are redeemable for exclusive, game-inspired icon rewards. Music lovers can relive classic moments with Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance tracks now available via the Nintendo Music app, exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online members using compatible smart devices.
Nintendo Switch Online remains a premium destination for both nostalgia and innovation, as evidenced by its broadening portfolio and engagement-driven rewards.
To access these features, a Nintendo Switch Online or Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership and a Nintendo Account are required.
More details, including terms and regional availability, are available on the official Nintendo website.
