The cute social simulator game Animal Crossing: New Horizons has had several seasonal updates since its launch in early 2020. On October 15 with the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Direct, it was revealed that not only would there be a new paid DLC overhaul to the acclaimed title, but that it would be included with the newly announced Switch Online Expansion Pack. However, the final price of the expansion was likely not what everyone was expecting, revealed to be $49.99 for an individual yearly plan and $79.99 for a family plan. As of right now, it will include select Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis titles and shortly after the Animal Crossing: New Horizons DLC, which can also be bought individually for $24.99.
Many Nintendo and Animal Crossing fans are deliberating between purchasing the Switch Online Expansion Pack or simply buying it separately. This choice depends on a number of factors. As of right now, only a small handful of N64 and Genesis titles have been confirmed as well. More titles from each console will be added as the program expands, but for fans who invest a lot of time in Animal Crossing, it's debatable whether or not the bundle is worth the price.
Nintendo Switch Online and Animal Crossing
Nintendo 64 games such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Mario Kart 64 are undeniably classics and landmark titles of the generation. There are also about fifteen Sega Genesis games that will also make their way to Nintendo Switch Online, such as Ecco The Dolphin and the underrated classic Castlevania: Bloodlines. However, unlike the Nintendo 64, there are many different ways to play Sega Genesis titles outside of emulation or the original hardware. Many Genesis titles are available through the 3DS and Switch eShops in games like SEGA Genesis Classics.
In regards to Animal Crossing's retro days, its first English release was on Nintendo GameCube in 2002. Subsequent titles were released on the DS family of devices as well as the Wii and of course, the Switch is home to the most successful game in the franchise, New Horizons. But because of the overall nature of Animal Crossing's gameplay, there's little reason to return to older titles, except for perhaps nostalgia. Currently, there isn't a single social simulation game in the launch of N64 and Sega Genesis titles for Switch Online, meaning that gamers who play Animal Crossing: New Horizons may not take part in the kinds of games found in NSO's catalog, so it feels a bit out of place to bundle them together. Fans of that genre should look elsewhere.
When compared to its competitors of Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, which both offer new and old games as part of the online services, it's difficult to recommend Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass with its current titles and pricing structure. Hopefully, Nintendo continues to add more old consoles, and adding the paid DLCs of other Switch games would increase the value to its current price point.
The massive jump in price from the standard version to the expansion is the main problem, as Nintendo used to offer a pretty fair deal for what consumers were getting. Much of the value for individuals considering the upgrade depends on whether they have any interest in playing those titles again or for the first time. If a small handful of N64 and Sega Genesis games is worth as much as the Animal Crossing DLC then it's worth it, if not, then either stick with the original plan or just buy the DLC separately.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Happy Home ParadiseDLC releases on November 5 for the Nintendo Switch.
