Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Switch Online logo

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; 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, and later added support for Splatoon 2 's Octo Expansion.

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 apps

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.

Nintendo Music, a music-streaming app featuring songs from various Nintendo games including Animal Crossing: New Horizons, was released on October 30, 2024 exclusively for Nintendo Switch Online members.

User profile icons

Promotional image for the icon elements available in March 2022

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 586 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 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 available for purchase only to users who had played New Horizons at least three times in the past 30 days.

List of icon elements

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.

January

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	Tom Nook (Winter Outfit)	Timmy & Tommy (Winter Outfit)
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
Frames

February

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
Frames

March

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
Tom Nook (Summer Outfit)	Isabelle (Summer Outfit)	Timmy & Tommy (Summer Outfit)	K.K.
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
Frames

April

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
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
Frames

May

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
• 2024 availability: May 7, 2024 – June 3, 2024

Characters
Rover	Blathers	Celeste	Brewster
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
Frames

June

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
• 2024 availability: June 4, 2024 – July 1, 2024

Characters
Cyrus	Reese	Luna	Gulliver
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
Frames

July

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
• 2024 availability: July 2, 2024 – August 5, 2024

Characters
Flick	Nat	Pascal	Gullivarrr
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
Frames

August

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
• 2024 availability: August 6, 2024 – September 2, 2024

Characters
Redd	Kapp'n	Wisp	Lloid
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
Frames

September

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
• 2024 availability: September 3, 2024 – September 30, 2024

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
Frames

October

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
• 2024 availability: October 1, 2024 – November 4, 2024

Characters
Jack	C.J.	Resetti	Don
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
Frames

November

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
• 2024 availability: November 5, 2024 – December 2, 2024

Characters
Isabelle (Winter Outfit)	Franklin	Tortimer	Saharah
Butch	Iggly	Snake	Lucky	Lobo
Boris	Bam	Alli	Pango	Rodney
Mac	Mathilda	Queenie	Pancetti	Sly
Daisy	Mallary	Tia	Amelia	Sparro
Flip	Claudia	Knox	Shep	Wolfgang
Willow	Phil	Peaches	Kabuki	Tasha
Backgrounds
Frames

December

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
Frames

Holiday icons

From November to December 2023, holiday-themed icons featuring various Nintendo characters were available, including one of Isabelle and Tom Nook. These icons were slightly redesigned and rereleased in 2024.

2023

• Availability: November 28, 2023 – December 25, 2023

Characters

2024

• Availability: November 28, 2024 – December 25, 2024

Characters

Gallery

This section could be improved with the addition of images.

You can help by uploading one or more images and including them on this page.
Further details: Add promo images for March 2023, December 2023, and January 2024

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  A spread from the Summer 2020 issue of Nintendo Magazine advertising the Nintendo Switch Online service

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  Promotional image for the March 2022 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the April 2022 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the May 2022 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the June 2022 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the July 2022 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the August 2022 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the September 2022 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the October 2022 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the November 2022 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the December 2022 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the January 2023 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the February 2023 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the April 2023 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the May 2023 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the June 2023 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the July 2023 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the August 2023 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the September 2023 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the October 2023 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the November 2023 Nintendo Switch icons

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  Promotional image for the February 2024 Nintendo Switch icons

See also

• Nintendo Network
• Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection

External links

Nintendo Switch Online on other wikis

• NintendoWiki
• Super Mario Wiki
• Wikipedia
• Zelda Wiki