Finally, Nintendo has released official details on the Nintendo Switch Online service. Ever since the service was announced, details have been limited and vague. Before today, it was known that launch of the service is scheduled for September, the annual fee is $19.99, and there will be a catalog of NES titles available to subscribers. Now, Nintendo is providing more clarity with a recent press release, though the company has more to announce in the future. As for what we know now, the details are as follows.
Membership Pricing
There will be four different denominations of membership.
- $3.99 for a one-month membership
- $7.99 for a three-month membership
- $19.99 for a 12-month membership
- $34.99 for a 12-month family membership
The family membership will be different in that it will allow up to eight Switches to share online service under a single account. More information about the family membership and how to connect it to Switch systems will be available on May 15.
Online Play
Nintendo made it clear when they first announced their online service that the free online play that people have been enjoying in several Switch titles was only temporary. When the Switch Online Service launches in September, the free service will end. While some games will have certain online features that will be unaffected by the service, titles that will require it include:
- Splatoon 2
- ARMS
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Mario Tennis Aces
- Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido
More information about other games using the service will be announced in the future.
20 NES Games
Subscribers will have instant access to 20 NES games. Online multiplayer will be added to some of these games. At current, 10 of the 20 titles have been announced. These include:
- Balloon Fight
- Donkey Kong
- Dr. Mario
- Ice Climber
- The Legend of Zelda
- Mario Bros.
- Soccer
- Super Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Tennis
More games will be added frequently, but it is not specified if these will be limited to NES titles.
Save Data Cloud Backup
Cloud storage has long been speculated as a feature of the online service, and it is finally confirmed. More news about the cloud will be revealed ahead of the launch of the service.
Nintendo Switch Online App
It will share functionality with the smartphone application, which will most likely help you manage your account and enter a voice chatroom. There is no word on if the voice chat features will be able to function through the Switch console, independently of the application.
Special Offers
Nintendo Switch Online subscribers will receive special offers and discounts. There is nothing specific to announce just yet.
Upon its launch, Switch Online Service subscriptions will be available for purchase via Nintendo.com, the Nintendo eShop, and select retailers.
