Continue to Play Online for Free Until September
Nintendo will finally debut its paid online service for the Nintendo Switch in September, Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima confirmed during an earnings call.
Nintendo of America also put out a tweet revealing the service — which seems like it will actually be called Nintendo Switch Online — but didn’t divulge any more details.
#NintendoSwitch Online will launch in September 2018! pic.twitter.com/h3Rpeyymsx
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 1, 2018
Online play for the Switch has been free ever since the system launched in March 2017. Nintendo announced that it would only be temporary and that they would be implementing a paid online service in Fall 2017, but it was delayed in 2018. In June of last year, Nintendo detailed pricing for its online service with memberships costing $3.99 for 1 month, $7.99 for 3 months, or $19.99 for 12 months. It isn’t clear if these prices will stay the same. In comparison, both Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus cost $59.99 a year.
The service will feature online lobbies and voice chat (through the smartphone app) and will allow users access to a “classic game selection.” This selection of classic games appears to the Switch’s version of the Virtual Console service Nintendo has offered since the Wii in 2006. Subscribers will also receive exclusive eShop deals. The official website lists all of these features and more.
Non-subscribers will still be able to access the eShop, register and manage friends, share and post screenshots on social media, and access the parental control app.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Nintendo will announce more details in the coming months.
In the meantime, why not share your thoughts on the Switch’s paid online service in the comment section below.