The best cheap Nintendo Switch Online deals in December 2024

Nintendo Switch Online logo
(Image credit: Nintendo)

The best cheap Nintendo Switch Online deals are destined to help you make the most of the online functionality of your system without breaking the bank, and in June, there are several discounts and savings to help you take the plunge. 

Nintendo used to offer a free online service for previous generations of consoles, but it's now caught up to PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass by going pay-to-play. This makes the best cheap Nintendo Switch Online deals so vital since they can help to save you money on playing some of the best Nintendo Switch games with friends, as well as a range of virtual console games and cloud saves for a cheaper rate than usual. 

For more on the Nintendo Switch, we're also bringing you the best Nintendo Switch controllers and the best SD cards for Switch to help you get the full experience. 

The best Nintendo Switch Online deals in June 2023

Nintendo Switch Online prices are far cheaper than those found on Xbox and PlayStation, costing just $19.99 / £17.99 / AU$29.95 for a 12-month (or annual) subscription. 

This is Nintendo we're talking about, though - so there aren't many Nintendo Switch Online deals out there. However, it's already pretty cheap and sales events may yield a lower price tag than that MSRP. We're bringing you all the best Nintendo Switch Online deals via our price comparison technology below.

Nintendo Switch Online: 12 month memberships

If you're in it for the long haul, you'll find excellent value in the 12 month membership. Sitting under $20 / £20 you're paying far less than the price of a game to pick up a year's access to plenty of retro titles, online play, cloud saves and exclusive timed event games as well.

Nintendo Switch Online: 3 month memberships

If you're just looking to get some online multiplayer Mario Kart action going, you might want to pick up a quick subscription. This isn't one for regular online play over the course of the year, however, as you'll find better value in the longer Nintendo Switch Online deals above.

What's included with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription?

If you have an online subscription with any of the other consoles, you're looking at a similar setup with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Firstly, you need it to play multiplayer games online. So Splatoon 3 shootouts, Mario Kart 8: Deluxe races, Diablo III raids, and the like will need an Online sub from now on. However, if a game is classed as free-to-play on the Nintendo store, you won't need a sub to play online - yes that includes Fortnite!

Nintendo Switch Online also includes cloud saves for you to backup save files online. This is great if your save file on the console becomes corrupted, you accidentally delete it, or you buy a new console in a few years time if Nintendo releases a Nintendo Switch 2 or a similar alternative. 

The service also gives you access to the new mobile app which will show you in-game stats, give you access to voice-chat functions, and more details that'll be tailored to specific games in the future.

Kara Phillips
Evergreen Writer

Kara is an Evergreen writer at TechRadar Gaming. With a degree in Journalism and a passion for the weird and wonderful, she's spent the last few years as a freelance video game journalist, with bylines at NintendoLife, Attack of the Fanboy, Prima Games, and sister publication, GamesRadar+. Outside of gaming, you'll find her re-watching Gilmore Girls or trying to cram yet another collectible onto a shelf that desperately needs some organizing.

With contributions from