Nintendo Switch Online, the much-discussed paid online service for Nintendo’s flagship device, has finally been detailed. Set to cost just $19.99 USD a year for a single account, or $34.99 per year for families, the Nintendo Switch Online service looks to usher in a number of new features for the hybrid gaming device. Set to launch globally during the month of September 2018, let’s take a look at the changes and features of the service below:
Starting things off, players will need to note that beginning September games previously available to play online free of charge will require an online subscription to the Nintendo Switch Online service. Yes, that does include your copies of Splatoon 2 and Mario Kart 8, so if partaking in splatfest is a big deal to you, then this is something you’ll be needing. With that being said, a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online will offer subscribers access to an expanding library of 20 Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) titles with add-on online features built into the games. The games currently announced for the lineup can be found below:
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Donkey Kong™
- Mario Bros.™
- Super Mario Bros.™
- Balloon Fight™
- Ice Climber™
- Dr. Mario™
- The Legend of Zelda™
- Super Mario Bros.™ 3
- + More to be revealed
If backing up your precious save data online in the cloud is a big deal for you, Nintendo has you covered. While it goes without saying that this should be a basic feature implemented into just about any service, it is nice to know that it is being added here. Additionally, though I’m yet to feel the need to use it myself, it is noted that the Nintendo Switch App for iOS and Android will be receiving expanded features as part of the subscription service. Additionally, Nintendo makes mention of “Special Offers,” presumably entailing discounts exclusive to service subscribers in the Nintendo E-Shop.
While it may seem quite barebone to start off with, we’re curious to see what else Nintendo brings to the table during industry events such as E3 later this year. While the low price point is a welcoming factor for someone who had gotten used to paying $80 for a 12-month subscription to Xbox Live in Australia in the past, the service will definitely need to do a lot of catching up to other services before it’s likely to win over the hearts of everyone else. Further information on the service is available via Nintendo’s official website.