Free to Play on Nintendo Switch for One Week: One of the Year's Best Action Games Goes Free on NSO
Nintendo just launched one of the most generous promotions of the year for Nintendo Switch Online members. Starting today, Friday, September 25, through Thursday, October 1, 2026, the acclaimed Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is entirely free to play on Nintendo Switch under the official Game Trials program.
Unlike standard demos that cut off after the introductory chapter, this initiative unlocks the full game for seven complete days at no additional charge for active NSO subscribers.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Action-adventure Metroidvania developed by Ubisoft Montpellier. Available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Do you need a subscription? How to play for free without paying
To clarify access requirements: the game itself is 100% free during this event. The full version is unlocked at $0.00 as part of the official Game Trials program, running from September 24 to September 30, 2026.
The trial is tied to an active Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) membership. However, there is a handy trick if you do not have an active subscription:
- Existing NSO members: No extra charge whatsoever. Simply download the full game directly from the eShop and start playing.
- Non-subscribers: Nintendo offers a 7-day free trial for Nintendo Switch Online via the eShop and My Nintendo. Activating this free trial grants instant access to download and complete Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown from start to finish for free (just make sure to turn off auto-renewal in your Nintendo Account settings).
Full Game Access, Cross-Save Progression, and eShop Discounts
Subscribers can start downloading the software immediately from the Nintendo eShop or via the Nintendo Switch Online home menu icon. The entire expanse of Mount Qaf is fully accessible without arbitrary roadblocks.
All save files and progression unlocked throughout this free trial period carry over automatically should you choose to purchase the full release. To complement the trial, Nintendo and Ubisoft are offering a notable discount across the eShop covering both the base game and the Mask of Darkness story expansion.
This push comes at an intriguing moment for the publisher, following recent strategic shifts in their digital distribution outlined in our coverage of Ubisoft finally removing the mandatory Connect launcher on Steam.
Editorial Perspective: Download It Without Hesitation
I have to be completely honest here: seeing Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown available for free on Switch Online is fantastic news, but it also revives genuine frustration. When this game launched in early 2024, it suffered heavily from disastrous marketing and unwarranted internet cynicism, even though it stands as an absolute action masterclass from Ubisoft Montpellier.
The veteran developers behind Rayman Origins and Legends built a premier action-platformer. Between surgical parry windows, high-speed dual-blade combat flow, and brilliant time manipulation powers granted by the Simurgh, this adventure stands shoulder to shoulder with heavyweight titans like Metroid Dread and Hollow Knight.
A playthrough clocks in around 20 to 25 hours, which is entirely achievable across an intensive seven-day window. Clear some room on your MicroSD card and grab it immediately: this is easily one of the finest 2D action games of the entire console generation.
SEO consultant for over 20 years and digital entrepreneur, Charles 'Grimtag' Ronchain is the founder of Pro-Gamer.gg, Retrocharting.com, and Gamescharting.com. A competitive gamer, streamer, and retro game collector, he has worked in the video game industry for over 15 years, notably as a consultant for leading game price comparison platforms. Passionate about real-time performance data and gaming technology, he analyzes competitive esports, gaming hardware benchmarks, and creator workflows on Pro-Gamer.gg with an authentic player perspective.
