Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Switch Online is the special paid subscription service run by Nintendo. Its primary purpose is to be used to play Nintendo Switch games online but it comes with a variety of perks. There are two different subscription tiers available.

The basic tier gives you access to the online functionality for all Nintendo Switch games as well as the special Nintendo Switch Online Software to play GameBoy, Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Nintendo Entertainment System games. However, if you purchase the expansion pack for the subscription, you will also be able to play GameBoy Advance and Nintendo 64 games.

Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Switch Online Games

Once you have subscribed, you will be able to download the special Nintendo Switch Online apps. These are regularly updated apps that contain a variety of games for you to play with the ability to play online with your friends if it is multiplayer, a first for many of the games.

You also have the ability to create save states and rewind the game so you can return to it at any time. GameBoy games will also have the ability to change the colour scheme to match various styles including the original GameBoy, Super GameBoy Colours as well as the GameBoy Pocket

Many Pokémon games are available to play on this service.

Game Name Console Expansion Pack Required?
Pokémon Mystery Dugeon - Red Rescue TeamGameBoy AdvanceYes
Pokémon Puzzle LeagueNintendo64Yes
Pokémon SnapNintendo64Yes
Pokémon StadiumNintendo64Yes
Pokémon Stadium 2Nintendo64Yes
Pokémon Trading Card GameGameBoy ColorNo
Pokémon Nintendo Switch Icons

Nintendo Switch Online Icons

For players who have a Nintendo Online Subscription, in 2022 a new app was added to the Nintendo Switch that allowed for you to spend Platinum Points accrued through tasks and more in order to exchange for various parts that can be used to make custom icons for your Nintendo Switch Online profile.

In November 2022, with the release of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, the first Pokémon icons were released

Pokémon Nintendo Switch Icons

Games With Icon Sets

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Detective Pikachu Returns
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Detective Pikachu Returns

Icon Sets

Set Name Duration
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Set 1November 18th 2022 - November 25th 2022
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Set 2November 25th 2022 - December 2nd 2022
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Set 3December 2nd 2022 - December 9th 2022
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Set 4December 9th 2022 - December 16th 2022
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Set 5December 16th 2022 - December 26th 2022
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Set 1August 9th - August 16th 2023
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Set 2August 16th - August 23rd 2023
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Set 3August 23rd - August 30th 2023
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Set 4August 30th - September 6th 2023
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Set 5September 6th - September 13th 2023
Detective Pikachu Returns Set 1September 29th - October 6th 2023
Detective Pikachu Returns Set 2October 6th - October 13th 2023
Detective Pikachu Returns Set 3October 13th - October 20th 2023
Detective Pikachu Returns Set 4October 20th - October 27th 2023
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Indigo Disk Set 1December 8th - December 15th 2023
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Indigo Disk Set 2December 15th - December 22nd 2023
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Indigo Disk Set 3December 22nd - December 29th 2023
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Indigo Disk Set 4December 29th - January 5th 2024
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Indigo Disk Set 5January 5th - January 12th 2024
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Indigo Disk Set 6January 12th - January 19th 2024
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hidden Treasure of Area Zero 2024 Set 1November 19th - November 26th 2024
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hidden Treasure of Area Zero 2024 Set 2November 26th - December 3rd 2024
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hidden Treasure of Area Zero 2024 Set 3December 3rd - December 10th 2024
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hidden Treasure of Area Zero 2024 Set 4December 10th - December 17th 2024
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hidden Treasure of Area Zero 2024 Set 5December 17th - December 24th 2024
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Hidden Treasure of Area Zero 2024 Set 6December 24th - December 31st 2024

Nintendo Music

Release Dates:

Global: October 30th 2024

Nintendo Music is a special app on iOS and Android which allows for listening to various game soundtracks from games in Nintendo's vast library dating as far back as the Nintendo Entertainment System. This app is only available for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers but is free if you are one.

Click here for full details of Nintendo Music

Nintendo Music  Image