ACNH: Nintendo Switch Online Subscription - is it worth buying? What it offers? Animal Crossing guide, tips

Last update: 15 June 2020

In this section of our guide to Animal Crossing New Horizons, we explain how the Nintendo Switch Online Subscription works and whether it's worth buying it (or when you should purchase it) if you're playing the game.

Let's start with the bad news. To play with your friends you have to pay for a Nintendo Switch Online Subscription. This is standard practice on consoles - fortunately Nintendo sells it at a very low price ($19.99 per year).

Thankfully, there are a few ways to solve this problem - you just have to play on the same console. Unfortunately, this option has many limitations - we have described them in this section.

• When the multiplayer is unlocked?
• What do you get with the Nintendo Switch Online Subscription?
• How much does Nintendo membership cost?
• Is it worth buying a Nintendo subscription for Animal Crossing?
• Free subscription

When the multiplayer is unlocked?

Multiplayer Online mode will be unlocked on the second day of the gameplay, just after you get access to the Dodo airfield.

What do you get with the Nintendo Switch Online Subscription?

The Nintendo Switch Online Subscription allows you to play multiplayer games or participate in multiplayer modes on the Nintendo Switch console (in single player titles). Without it, you can only enjoy the game offline. However, there are a few exceptions.

In the case of Animal Crossing New Horizons, the Nintendo Switch Online Subscription allows you to visit the islands of other players - most often to sell turnip on their island if they have a high price (more about turnips can be found here). You can also play together in this way.

How much does Nintendo membership cost?

If you buy Nintendo Switch Online for one console account, it costs $3.99 for a month, $7.99 for three months, $19.99 for a year, and family plans that costs $34.99 (provided there are at least two accounts).

The Nintendo Switch Online Subscription can be purchased by using the console or the eShop store. Also, you can buy it in the form of codes sold on various the websites

Is it worth buying a Nintendo subscription for Animal Crossing?

A lot depends on what you plan to do in Animal Crossing. The game is so rich in content that even without visiting your friends you won't be bored anyway. The ability to sell turnip on other players islands makes it a lot easier, but it is also not necessary to have fun. So, if you don't have any friends with whom you could play together, then there's no point in paying the subscription. Also, remember that you can use a seven-day free trial to check the multiplayer features.

However, if you have many fans of Animal Crossing among your friends, then it's worthwhile to get interested in Nintendo Switch Online Subscription. The subscription cost is still lower than membership options offered by all other consoles. Also, you will be able to benefit from its advantages in other games as well.

Free subscription

Nintendo Switch Online can be tested for free. After launching it on the console for the first time you can use it for seven days for free - 7 days free trial.