Nintendo Switch Online Reaches Over 34 Million Subscribers, Expansion Pack Uptake Grows

Nintendo’s latest financial report for the first half of the 2024 fiscal year has revealed compelling insights into the ongoing performance of the company’s popular online service.

Nintendo Switch Online, the subscription platform that enables multiplayer gaming, cloud saves, and access to a curated collection of legacy titles, has once again demonstrated its pivotal role within the Nintendo Switch ecosystem. As of September 30th, 2024, Nintendo has officially reported that over 34 million users worldwide are actively paying for a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

The service, which first launched in September 2018, remains a cornerstone of the Switch’s online infrastructure and continues to be updated with new features and content. During Nintendo’s financial briefing, the company addressed the current trajectory of membership numbers.

In an official statement, Nintendo acknowledged a year-over-year decline in paid memberships, attributing the dip in part to a decrease in major new releases focusing on online play over the past fiscal year.

Commenting on subscription trends, the report emphasized: "While we did observe a reduction compared to last year, largely due to fewer titles centered on online multiplayer, a significant number of users continue to enjoy the benefits and features of Nintendo Switch Online." Despite the overall membership decrease, Nintendo highlighted positive momentum within its premium service tier.

Since the introduction of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack in October 2021—which adds access to Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genesis game libraries, as well as select DLC—the number of users opting for this higher-tier subscription has seen steady growth.

"Additionally, we have observed a continued increase in users choosing the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack since its launch," Nintendo explained in the report, pointing to the enhanced appeal of expanded retro game offerings and bundled add-ons for popular franchises. The update comes at a time when the Nintendo Switch continues to perform strongly in hardware sales and digital storefront activity.

Nintendo’s commitment to expanding and engaging its online subscriber base underlines the company’s broader strategy of fostering community and recurring revenue through robust digital services. As the Nintendo Switch enters its eighth year on the market, the sustained success of Nintendo Switch Online and the Expansion Pack tier reflect the enduring appeal of the platform’s ecosystem.

With continued content updates and evolving subscriber benefits, Nintendo is well-positioned to maintain its leadership in the gaming industry’s online services landscape.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack Switch Online Switch