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Yes. Ninjala is free to download and play on Nintendo Switch, and you do not need a Nintendo Switch Online membership to play online. Optional spending includes Jala currency, rotating shop items, seasonal passes and tiers, Gumball Machine spins, and separately sold Story Packs. The base game is free; those extras are not all paid in the same way.
What is free in Ninjala?
GungHo describes Ninjala as fundamentally free-to-play, with additional content and in-app purchases. Its official FAQ also says you can play online without an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. You do need an internet connection to use the in-game shop.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Switch Lego Ninjago The Movie Video Game - Nintendo Switch | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.83 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - US Version | $52.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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DRAGON BALL FighterZ - Nintendo Switch | $24.16 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe - US Version | $52.98 | Buy on Amazon |
That means you can start with the free game and its Free Pass without paying for a subscription or buying Jala. Optional purchases are for additional items, seasonal rewards, progression, and Story Mode content.
What can you buy, and how do you pay?
| Purchase | What it provides | How payment works |
|---|---|---|
| Jala | Currency used for eligible shop items and pass tiers | Can be purchased through Nintendo eShop or earned through rewards; bundles may include Jala and items. |
| Shinobi Shop items | Costumes, accessories, other avatar items, fishing rods, Bait Gum, and lures | Items generally use Jala, subject to the item and shop rules. |
| Gumball Machine spins | Ninja-Gum and special items | The machine determines the currency: some use Jala or Gold Medals, while others use Gumball Machine Coins or Silver Medals. |
| Ninjala Pass or Pass Mini | Seasonal reward tracks and documented paid-pass benefits | Paid passes are separate from the Free Pass. Jala can also be used to buy tiers. |
| Story Packs | Additional Story Mode content | Purchased separately as Nintendo eShop content. |
Official descriptions do not establish a complete current price list across eShop regions. Check the Nintendo eShop for your region for current prices and availability rather than relying on an amount quoted elsewhere.
#1 Best Overall
- Amazing New Settings
Are shop items pay-to-win?
Not all shop content has the same effect. The official manual says avatar items change appearance only and do not affect battle abilities or performance. The shop also sells fishing rods, Bait Gum, and lures, so it is not limited to outfits and accessories.
Some purchases do have documented gameplay-related benefits: during the applicable season, a paid Ninjala Pass prevents Ninja-Gum from being consumed in battles. That is distinct from a costume or accessory, and should not be confused with a general claim that paid avatar cosmetics make a character stronger.
Rank #2
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
How do the Free Pass, Ninjala Pass, and Pass Mini differ?
Every season has a Free Pass track. A paid Ninjala Pass unlocks a wider range of that season’s rewards, which can include avatar items, emotes, and Jala. The official manual also describes a Ninjala Pass Mini, which covers progress through Tier 30; the full pass has a Tier 100 cap. Rewards and available items vary by season.
- Free Pass: The free seasonal track.
- Ninjala Pass: The paid pass, with more rewards and the documented seasonal benefits of Ninja-Gum not being consumed in battles and discounts on eligible Shinobi Shop items. Collaboration items are excluded from the discount.
- Ninjala Pass Mini: The paid option covering progress through Tier 30 rather than the full pass’s Tier 100 cap.
If you buy a paid pass after advancing through the current season, you can claim its rewards for tiers you have already reached. You may also spend Jala to buy tiers from the pass screen; the manual says there is no penalty for buying tiers instead of earning tier points.
Rank #3
- New stages and fighters are joined by the combined rosters of every past Super Smash Bros. Game
- Challenge others anytime, anywhere, whether you're on the couch or on the go
- Play any way you want—locally, online, in TV mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode, or even with GameCube Controllers
- Fight faster and smarter with new and returning techniques, like the perfect shield and directional air dodge
- Face off in 2-4 player battles, or play against the computer
What should you know before buying shop or Gumball Machine items?
Shinobi Shop recommendations change, and limited items may not return, although some items may later reappear in the shop. A Gumball Machine spin is not a guaranteed way to get a particular special item: machines have different payment rules, and the manual says a machine dispenses only Ninja-Gum if you already obtained its special item.
Because stock and prices can vary, inspect the item and payment method shown in your game before spending. Jala is not the only possible payment method, and not every unit of Jala has to come from a purchase.
Rank #4
- Nintendo Switch features: Simplified controls for single Joy-Con play. More features to be announced.
- Spectacular fights: Experience aerial combos, destructible stages, and famous scenes from the Dragon Ball anime reproduced in 60 FPS
- 3VS3 TAG/SUPPORT: Allows players to train and master more than one fighter/style, which brings deeper gameplay.
- HIGH-END ANIME GRAPHICS: Using the power of the Unreal engine and the talented team at Arc System Works, DRAGON BALL FighterZ is a visual tour-de-force.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Cartoon violence, mild language, mild suggestive themes
Is Story Mode included with the free game?
No. The official FAQ describes Story Packs as additional Nintendo eShop content for playing Story Mode. They are separate from the free-to-play online game. Availability and pricing can differ by region; the official information cited here does not establish a complete live catalog for every eShop.
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Best Value
- A variety of playable characters are available, some with unique attributes that affect gameplay and platforming physics.
- Younger and less-experienced players will love playing as Toadette, who is brand new to both games, and Nabbit, who was formerly only playable in New Super Luigi U. Both characters offer extra assistance during play.
- Multiplayer sessions are even more fun, frantic, and exciting thanks to entertaining character interactions. Need a boost? Try jumping off a teammate’s head or getting a teammate to throw you.
- Features a wealth of help features, like a Hints gallery, reference videos, and a Super Guide in New Super Mario Bros. U that can complete levels for you if they’re giving you trouble.
- Three additional modes—Boost Rush, Challenges, and Coin Battle—mix up gameplay and add replayability, while also upping the difficulty for players who want to try something harder. Players can use their Mii characters in these modes.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
