Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online is a subscription service for the Nintendo Switch that includes online multiplayer, cloud saves, access to the service's mobile app, and access to Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Nintendo Entertainment System games, effectively replacing the Virtual Console feature that was used on the Wii, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS. The service launched on September 18, 2018;[1] prior to its launch, online multiplayer on the Nintendo Switch was available for free.
An additional subscription tier known as Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack was released on October 25, 2021. It includes access to Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games, as well as the Happy Home Paradise DLC for Animal Crossing: New Horizons and the Booster Course Pass for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe[2], and later added support for Splatoon 2 's Octo Expansion.[3]
Another update in March 2022 added the ability to create a personalized icon based on various Nintendo characters, frames, and backgrounds. These include Animal Crossing: New Horizons villagers that celebrate their birthday in the current month. An update in February 2023 added Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games, of which Game Boy Advance requires the Expansion Pack.
Mobile app[edit]
The Nintendo Switch Online mobile app features services for specific games, including Animal Crossing: New Horizons with NookLink. NookLink allows the player to view certain player and island data, as well as interact with the game.
User profile icons[edit]
An update in March 2022 allows users to purchase game-specific icon elements (divided between characters, frames, and backgrounds) with 
Platinum Points from the Nintendo Switch Online system app. These elements can be combined to create an icon for the user's Nintendo Switch profile. An icon cannot be created without using a character element.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has had icon elements available since March 2022, with the selection each month being the villagers born in that month, along with five backgrounds and five frames. Characters cost 10 Platinum Points, while frames and backgrounds cost 5 Platinum Points. A total of 585 icon elements were released from March 2022 to February 2024, including 466 characters, 60 frames, and 60 backgrounds.
New villager icons, frames, and backgrounds were added each month from March 2022 until February 2023, when all 12 months had been covered and every villager except the six Sanrio ones had icons released. Afterward, from March 2023 to February 2024, four to five special characters icons[nb 1] were added each month in addition to the previously available villagers, frames, and backgrounds. Beginning in March 2024, new icon elements stopped being added and the icon elements became only available to purchase for users who had played New Horizons at least three times in the past 30 days.
List of icon elements[edit]
The following is a list of Animal Crossing: New Horizons icon elements available through Nintendo Switch Online for each month. Each month's availability generally begins on the first Tuesday of that month and ends on the first Monday of the following month, though there are some exceptions.
First available in 2023. Characters in the first row were added in 2024.
- 2023 availability: January 10, 2023 – February 6, 2023
- 2024 availability: January 9, 2024 – February 5, 2024
| Characters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Daisy Mae |
 Joan |
.png) Tom Nook (Winter Outfit) |
.png) Timmy & Tommy (Winter Outfit) |
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 Bob |
 Poncho |
 Joey |
 Diana |
 Roald |
 Carmen |
 Harry |
 Pierce |
 Tiffany |
 Papi |
 Maddie |
 Moe |
 Puddles |
 Velma |
 Gladys |
 Ursala |
 Rizzo |
 Sherb |
 Simon |
 Quinn |
 Opal |
 Genji |
 Francine |
 Gwen |
 Rhonda |
 Savannah |
 Vivian |
 Admiral |
 Aurora |
 Margie |
 Cube |
 Flurry |
 Winnie | ||
| Backgrounds | ||||
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First available in 2023. Characters in the first row were added in 2024.
- 2023 availability: February 7, 2023 – March 6, 2023
- 2024 availability: February 6, 2024 – March 4, 2024
| Characters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Pavé |
 Label |
 Mabel |
 Sable |
 Katrina |
 Bill |
 Jitters |
 Olivia |
 Lily |
 Penelope |
 Annalisa |
 Boomer |
 Frobert |
 Cleo |
 Flora |
 Zoe |
 Stitches |
 Pompom |
 Drago |
 Ribbot |
 Muffy |
 Kitty |
 Anabelle |
 Dobie |
 Dora |
 Freckles |
 Sprinkle |
 Puck |
 Avery |
 Pate |
 Anicotti |
 Hamphrey |
 Sheldon |
 Rosie |
 Naomi |
| Backgrounds | ||||
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First available in 2022. Characters in the first row were added in 2023.
- 2022 availability: March 1, 2022 – April 4, 2022
- 2023 availability: March 7, 2023 – April 3, 2023
- 2024 availability: March 5, 2024 – April 1, 2024
| Characters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.png) Tom Nook (Summer Outfit) |
.png) Isabelle (Summer Outfit) |
.png) Timmy & Tommy (Summer Outfit) |
 K.K. |
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 Coco |
 Barold |
 Bonbon |
 Anchovy |
 Gala |
 Chevre |
 Molly |
 Zucker |
 Cyrano |
 Judy |
 Hopkins |
 Midge |
 Megan |
 Dotty |
 Julian |
 Doc |
 Cheri |
 Dom |
 Merengue |
 Hornsby |
 Faith |
 Elise |
 Paula |
 Axel |
 Skye |
 Billy |
 Celia |
 Louie |
 Fauna |
 Lolly |
 Baabara |
 Biff |
 Felicity |
 Klaus | |
| Backgrounds | ||||
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First available in 2022. Characters in the first row were added in 2023.
- 2022 availability: April 5, 2022 – May 1, 2022
- 2023 availability: April 4, 2023 – May 1, 2023
- 2024 availability: April 2, 2024 – May 6, 2024
| Characters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Zipper |
 Leif |
 Orville |
 Wilbur |
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 Cephalobot |
 Cashmere |
 Tammi |
 Eunice |
 Buck |
 Beau |
 Hopper |
 Rasher |
 Maelle |
 Stella |
 Shari |
 Punchy |
 Melba |
 Candi |
 Rocket |
 Vesta |
 Charlise |
 Piper |
 Pietro |
 Stu |
 Agnes |
 Phoebe |
 Miranda |
 Walt |
 Bertha |
 Kevin |
 Katt |
 Ava |
 Coach |
 Angus |
| Backgrounds | ||||
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First available in 2022. Characters in the first row were added in 2023.
- 2022 availability: May 2, 2022 – June 6, 2022
- 2023 availability: May 2, 2023 – June 5, 2023
| Characters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Rover |
 Blathers |
 Celeste |
 Brewster |
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 Clyde |
 Mint |
 Roswell |
 Sylvia |
 Deirdre |
 Paolo |
 Tank |
 Ozzie |
 Curlos |
 Bunnie |
 Patty |
 Cherry |
 Ellie |
 Biskit |
 Canberra |
 Leonardo |
 Ike |
 Gayle |
 Pekoe |
 Olaf |
 Sasha |
 T-Bone |
 June |
 Colton |
 Peggy |
 Deli |
 Derwin |
 Bruce |
 Del |
 Renée |
 Purrl |
 Hamlet |
 Marcie | ||
| Backgrounds | ||||
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First available in 2022. Characters in the first row were added in 2023.
- 2022 availability: June 7, 2022 – July 4, 2022
- 2023 availability: June 6, 2023 – July 3, 2023
| Characters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cyrus |
 Reese |
 Luna |
 Gulliver |
.png)
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 Keaton |
 Lucy |
 Filbert |
 Reneigh |
 Camofrog |
 Raddle |
 Zell |
 Peanut |
 Alfonso |
 Cyd |
 Walker |
 Cherry |
 Bettina |
 Scoot |
 Pippy |
 Maple |
 Roscoe |
 Tangy |
 Spike |
 Cookie |
 Sally |
 Graham |
 Sydney |
 Jacques |
 Tammy |
 Bluebear |
 Drake |
 Marina |
 Marlo |
 Deena |
 Kidd |
 Merry |
 Broccolo |
 Weber | |
| Backgrounds | ||||
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First available in 2022. Characters in the first row were added in 2023.
- 2022 availability: July 5, 2022 – August 1, 2022
- 2023 availability: July 4, 2023 – July 31, 2023
| Characters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Flick |
 Nat |
 Pascal |
 Gullivarrr |
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 Curt |
 Agent S |
 Blaire |
 Apollo |
 Samson |
 Mira |
 Bree |
 Jeremiah |
 Huck |
 Static |
 Mott |
 Victoria |
 Olive |
 Twiggy |
 Dizzy |
 Caroline |
 Frita |
 Jay |
 Croque |
 Nibbles |
 Yuka |
 Prince |
 Chow |
 Elvis |
 Rex |
 O'Hare |
 Peck |
 Curly |
 Erik |
 Ketchup |
 Truffles |
 Lionel |
 Frank |
 Julia |
 Grizzly |
| Backgrounds | ||||
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First available in 2022. Characters in the first row were added in 2023.
- 2022 availability: August 2, 2022 – September 5, 2022
- 2023 availability: August 1, 2023 – September 4, 2023
| Characters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Redd |
 Kapp'n |
 Wisp |
 Lloid |
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 Kid Cat |
 Vladimir |
 Benjamin |
 Tad |
 Bones |
 Poppy |
 Chester |
 Rory |
 Boots |
 Bud |
 Soleil |
 Cole |
 Gigi |
 Ace |
 Gloria |
 Tabby |
 Rod |
 Leopold |
 Wendy |
 Nate |
 Stinky |
 Rocco |
 Tiansheng |
 Alice |
 Tybalt |
 Lopez |
 Wart Jr. |
 Rolf |
 Nana |
 Nan |
 Jacob |
 Tipper |
 Rowan |
 Bangle |
 Chrissy |
 Gruff |
 Hazel |
 Audie | ||
| Backgrounds | ||||
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First available in 2022. The first four characters in the first row were added in 2023.
- 2022 availability: September 6, 2022 – October 3, 2022
- 2023 availability: September 5, 2023 – October 2, 2023
| Characters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Lottie |
 Wardell |
 Niko |
 DJ KK |
 Violet |
 Flo |
 Spork |
 Maggie |
 Cally |
 Greta |
 Cesar |
 Tucker |
 Astrid |
 Pinky |
 Rio |
 Pecan |
 Ione |
 Peewee |
 Boone |
 Moose |
 Ricky |
 Tutu |
 Ed |
 Whitney |
 Bubbles |
 Fuchsia |
 Norma |
 Octavian |
 Henry |
 Ankha |
 Cranston |
 Apple |
 Mitzi |
 Teddy |
 Beardo |
 Kody |
 Marshal |
 Monique | ||
| Backgrounds | ||||
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First available in 2022. Characters in the first row were added in 2023.
- 2022 availability: October 4, 2022 – October 31, 2022
- 2023 availability: October 3, 2023 – November 6, 2023
| Characters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Jack |
 C.J. |
 Resetti |
 Don |
.png)
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 Raymond |
 Boyd |
 Diva |
 Big Top |
 Goose |
 Elmer |
 Tex |
 Bitty |
 Cobb |
 Kiki |
 Drift |
 Benedict |
 Kitt |
 Plucky |
 Lyman |
 Chops |
 Gonzo |
 Egbert |
 Hippeux |
 Bea |
 Friga |
 Limberg |
 Al |
 Clay |
 Antonio |
 Timbra |
 Sandy |
 Sylvana |
 Petri |
 Groucho |
 Snooty |
 Broffina |
 Portia |
 Eugene |
 Jambette |
 Gaston |
 Rodeo |
 Wade |
 Frett |
 Shino |
| Backgrounds | ||||
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First available in 2022. Characters in the first row were added in 2023.
- 2022 availability: November 1, 2022 – December 5, 2022
- 2023 availability: November 7, 2023 – December 4, 2023
| Characters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.png) Isabelle (Winter Outfit) |
 Franklin |
 Tortimer |
 Saharah |
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 Butch |
 Iggly |
 Snake |
 Lucky |
 Lobo |
 Boris |
 Bam |
 Allie |
 Pango |
 Rodney |
 Mac |
 Mathilda |
 Queenie |
 Pancetti |
 Sly |
 Daisy |
 Mallary |
 Tia |
 Amelia |
 Sparro |
 Flip |
 Claudia |
 Knox |
 Shep |
 Wolfgang |
 Willow |
 Phil |
 Peaches |
 Kabuki |
 Tasha |
| Backgrounds | ||||
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First available in 2022. Characters in the first row were added in 2023.
- 2022 availability: December 6, 2022 – January 9, 2023
- 2023 availability: December 5, 2023 – January 8, 2024
| Characters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Jingle |
 Kicks |
 Harriet |
 Harvey |
 Snowboy |
 Sprocket |
 Rooney |
 Annalise |
 Claude |
 Robin |
 Hans |
 Carrie |
 Kyle |
 Monty |
 Buzz |
 Eloise |
 Becky |
 Tom |
 Sterling |
 Lucha |
 Bianca |
 Freya |
 Chadder |
 Gabi |
 Cousteau |
 Fang |
 Azalea |
 Chief |
 Rudy |
 Blanche |
 Quillson |
 Ken |
 Chabwick |
 Ruby |
 Pashmina |
 Goldie |
 Bella |
 Murphy |
 Vic |
 Hugh |
 Marcel | ||||
| Backgrounds | ||||
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Gallery[edit]
Further details: Add promo images for March 2023, December 2023, and January 2024
Further details: Add promo images for March 2023, December 2023, and January 2024
A spread from the Summer 2020 issue of Nintendo Magazine advertising the Nintendo Switch Online service
Promotional image for the March 2022 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the April 2022 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the May 2022 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the June 2022 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the July 2022 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the August 2022 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the September 2022 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the October 2022 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the November 2022 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the December 2022 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the January 2023 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the February 2023 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the April 2023 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the May 2023 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the June 2023 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the July 2023 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the August 2023 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the September 2023 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the October 2023 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the November 2023 Nintendo Switch icons
Promotional image for the February 2024 Nintendo Switch icons
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ↑ For months with four special character icons, the fifth icon is a non-character such as an object or logo. The exception to this was September 2023, which had only the four special character icons.
References[edit]
- ↑ Andrew Webster (September 12, 2018). "The Nintendo Switch online service is launching on September 18th". The Verge. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
- ↑ Nintendo (October 15, 2021). "Animal Crossing: New Horizons Direct 10.15.2021". YouTube. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ↑ Nintendo (April 22, 2022). Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion DLC added as Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack benefit! .
