Nintendo Switch Online Free Access For 1 Year Available To Claim Until April 14

Published Mar 9, 2026, 10:22 AM EDT

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You Can Grab A Free Year Of Nintendo Switch Online

For Specific Regions

Thanks to a MAR10 day promotion (a yearly celebration of all things Mario on March 10), Nintendo is giving away 12 months of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, which is the highest tier of the service currently. Sadly, it's not available in every region.

It's a pretty good deal, but it's restricted to folks in the Nintendo Australia and New Zealand purview. You'll also need to buy the Switch 2 between March 10 and April 14, 2026, "while stock lasts." This has an AU$59.95 / NZ$69.95 retail value, so it's a pretty significant bonus if you were already thinking of going in on a Switch 2.

Here are the steps you'll need to follow if you're eligible:

• Register at the official bonus offer site.
• Upload a copy of your receipt.
• You'll receive a 12-month individual membership to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack via SMS.

Nintendo explains that it might take "two business days" to receive the code, which you can then redeem in the eShop through standard means. In other words, you have a little over a month to use this offer, and you can do so online during the specific timeframe of March 10 through April 14, so make sure you thread the needle there if you want a Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch Online Includes Access To Tons Of Games

It's Generally Worth The Price

As a reminder, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is a pretty sizable service at this point, far beyond in scope than the original iteration of Switch Online. There are now NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, SEGA Genesis, and Virtual Boy games on offer.

The latter system is a fairly new addition to the service, and requires one of two accessories: a relatively cheap cardboard device, or a replica of the original Virtual Boy, stand and all. You'll slot your Switch 1 or Switch 2 into either of them and look into the device, which will then replicate the original Virtual Boy experience.

As Nintendo continues to add more value to Switch Online, the price is likely to go up. Pretty much every service is in danger of further price hikes at this point, including PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass. That's why this deal is so great, if you can take advantage of it.

Date Founded September 23, 1889

CEO Satoru Iwata

Subsidiaries Nintendo EPD, Nintendo SPD, Nintendo EAD

Consoles Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo 64, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Game Boy, Nintendo Game Boy Color, Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo Switch Lite

Services Nintendo Switch Online