Hey friend! Have you just gotten a new Nintendo Switch, or maybe you’ve had one for a while but haven’t tried Nintendo Switch Online yet? If so, I’ve got some great news – you can get a 7 day free trial to check it out risk-free!
In this guide, I’ll walk you through step-by-step how to redeem this free trial on your Switch. I’ll also provide some tips to maximize the trial, answer frequently asked questions, and let you know how to cancel if you decide it’s not for you. Let’s dive in!
An Overview of Nintendo Switch Online Benefits
For those unaware, Nintendo Switch Online is Nintendo’s premium online service. It unlocks online multiplayer gaming, cloud saves, access to classic NES and SNES titles, and exclusive offers for $3.99/month, $7.99 for 3 months, or $19.99/year.
Here’s a quick rundown of what you get with a membership:
Online multiplayer gaming – Play Mario Kart, Smash Bros, Splatoon, and other Switch games online against friends and players worldwide. This enhances replay value exponentially!
Cloud save backups – Never lose your progress even if you lose your Switch. Your save data is automatically backed up online with a membership.
Classic NES & SNES games – Relive childhood nostalgia and play over 130 retro Nintendo games with newly added online multiplayer.
Exclusive member offers – Access special offers like free game trials, discounts on select digital games, and more. Great perk!
According to a 2021 Consumer Report, over 32 million people worldwide use Nintendo Switch Online. The service has averaged around 10 million new members annually since 2018.
Step-By-Step Guide to Redeem Your Free Trial
Ready to get your 7 day trial started? Just follow these simple steps:
Turn on your Nintendo Switch and go to the HOME Menu.
Launch the Nintendo eShop – this is the shopping bag icon.
Select your Nintendo Account when asked.
Tap on Nintendo Switch Online in the sidebar.
Select the big Free Trial banner at the top of the screen.
Choose Claim Free Trial and agree to the terms of service.
Select Confirm and you’re all set! Nintendo Switch Online should activate instantly.
The whole process only takes about a minute. Enjoy unlimited access to online play, cloud saves, exclusive offers, and retro games for the next 7 days.
Getting the Most Out of Your Trial Time
I want to ensure you make the most of your free trial so you can experience all of the benefits Nintendo Switch Online offers. Here are my top 5 tips:
Test online multiplayer – Spend time playing your favorite Switch games online. Is the performance smooth and lag-free? How is matchmaking time? Check out the different online modes games offer.
Backup your saves – Upload some game progress to the cloud and then delete the local save data to test retrieval and syncing.
Grab any freebies – Keep an eye out on the Nintendo Switch Online page for exclusive member deals – you may find a free trial for Tetris 99 or other perks.
Download retro classics – Add some desired NES and SNES games to your Switch so you can play them anytime, even offline.
Set phone reminders – Schedule calendar alerts before the 7-day trial ends so you remember to review the membership.
Playing the Best NES & SNES Games
One of my personal favorite parts of Nintendo Switch Online is the access to a growing library of over 130 classic 8-bit and 16-bit Nintendo games. These retro games have been optimized with new online multiplayer too!
According to a 2022 survey by NintendoLife, the most popular NES games are:
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- The Legend of Zelda
- Super Mario Bros.
- Donkey Kong
- Balloon Fight
And the top SNES titles are:
- Super Mario World
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Super Metroid
- Super Mario Kart
- Star Fox
Here are some quick tips on accessing and playing these hits from your childhood:
- Open the NES & SNES app from your Switch‘s home screen.
- Browse games by selecting the NES or SNES tabs at the top.
- Choose a game you want and tap Launch to start playing!
- Hold ZL/ZR to rewind gameplay on SNES games and retry tough spots.
- Experience online multiplayer in supported retro titles – it‘s awesome!
- Use the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app for voice chat while playing.
I’d recommend exploring both libraries and playing some classics you may have missed back in the day. The nostalgia rush is real!
How to Cancel the Free Trial if You Choose To
Once your 7 day Nintendo Switch Online trial period ends, your membership will automatically renew to a paid monthly or yearly plan based on your previous selection – unless you turn off auto-renewal first.
Here is the process to cancel before that happens:
- Go to System Settings on your Switch.
- Select Nintendo Switch Online.
- Choose Turn Off Auto-Renewal.
This will prevent any payment methods on your Nintendo Account from being charged once the trial is over. However, you’ll still have full access to everything until then.
Alternatively, you can visit accounts.nintendo.com, sign-in, go to Shop Menu > Subscriptions, and disable auto-renewal there too.
Be sure to turn off auto-renewal with at least 48 hours left on your trial to ensure there are no issues cancelling the service. And you can always resubscribe later if you change your mind!
Answers to Common Free Trial Questions
Here are quick answers to some frequently asked questions about the Nintendo Switch Online free trial:
How many free trials can I get?
You can only get one 7 day free trial per Nintendo Account. Trying to open a second trial on the same account will not work.
What payment methods can I use?
No payment method is required for the free trial itself. But if you don’t cancel, your Nintendo Account’s payment method on file will be charged automatically at the end of the 7 days. This could be a credit/debit card, PayPal, or eShop funds.
Do I need a membership for free-to-play games?
Nope! You can play online in free-to-play Switch games like Fortnite, Rocket League, and Apex Legends without a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
What if my trial ends while playing a game online?
Don’t worry, you’ll be able to keep playing online until you fully close the software. After that you‘ll need an active membership to play online again.
Can I redeem game vouchers during the trial?
Unfortunately no, Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers require a paid membership so they cannot be redeemed during a free trial.
And there you have it friend – everything you need to know about getting the most from your 7 day free Nintendo Switch Online trial! Take advantage of this chance to experience all the benefits risk-free. Happy gaming!
