Perhaps the biggest surprise in yesterday’s Animal Crossing Direct was the detailing of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

While we were expecting an update this month, we weren’t expecting it then and how it all ties in together.

However, as revealed by Nintendo, the first premium Animal Crossing: New Horizons DLC – Happy Home Paradise – will be included alongside a catalogue of N64 and SEGA Mega Drive games.

The new membership model will roll out beginning October 25th (26th in some regions) and you’ll gain access to the Animal Crossing DLC when it launches on November 5th.

If you’re a new customer to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, the costs will look like this…

12 months single user – $49.99 / €39,99 / £34.99
12 months family pass (up to 8 users) – $79.99USD / €69,99 / £59.99

However, if you’re an existing Nintendo Switch Online subscription holder, you’ll get a ‘pro-rated discount depending on the number of days remaining in your current membership.’

As you can see, it’s quite a price hike from the $19.99 for the current subscription model, but it does seem to be a fair amount of content for the price. And, I mean, this is currently going to be the only way to play Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask (eventually) on Switch!

This is a very new and interesting approach from Nintendo, though, offering brand new content in the form of the Animal Crossing DLC as part of a subscription service and one wonders whether they may offer up more content on other games down the line.

Interestingly as well, in an interview with Eurogamer, Nintendo have confirmed that players will still be able to access certain things even if their subscription lapses.

“Players can still continue to access certain things they have unlocked in Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise on their main island, including adding counters, partition walls, as well as adding ambient lighting and soundscapes, even if their access to Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise is suspended. However, it will not be possible to visit the archipelago if players lose access to the DLC. To be able to visit the archipelago and take on requests of designing vacation homes again, you will need to purchase the DLC separately or renew the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.”

What do you think about Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack? Leave us a comment below…