A Nintendo Switch Online subscription expands your gaming options.

If you buy the original Nintendo Switch, the dinky Switch Lite or the shiny new OLED Switch, you'll have plenty of stellar games to choose from. However, if you want to get access to online multiplayer and a library of classic Nintendo 64, SNES, NES and Sega Genesis titles, you should consider signing up for Switch Online and checking out its Expansion Pack tier.

The subscription service lets you race against faraway friends in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, battle distant rivals in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and trade with fellow trainers in the forthcoming Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. It also includes support for cloud backup of game data, access to the Nintendo Switch phone app and a few exclusive offers.

How much does Nintendo Switch Online cost?

The basic plan will set you back $4 for a month, $8 for three months or $20 for a year. You could also opt for the $35 family plan, which is designed for households with a bunch of people who want their own accounts -- it lets up to eight people play online, use cloud saves, access the SNES and NES libraries and other basic features for a year.

From Monday, Oct. 25, you'll have another option -- a Nintendo Switch Online plus Expansion Pack subscription. This gives you access to a larger library of classic games, from the N64 and Genesis, along with the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise DLC expansion (this normally costs $25, and comes out Nov. 5).