Nintendo Reveals Some Details About Switch Online Service Including Price

Written by Brandon Hofer on June 01, 2017

News: We now know what Nintendo’s online service will cost and some of the things you will get with membership.

Nintendo has just released some new details regarding the online service for the Switch. For starters it would appear the paid online service will not make an appearance until 2018. That is a bit of a disappointment since we we all thought it was coming later this year but if it comes out in early 2018 then it won’t be much of a delay. This paid service will give you access to online multiplayer on the Switch (currently free until this service launches in 2018) and much more.

Pricing

How much will Nintendo’s online service cost? Fortunately it looks like it will be available at a reasonable price. Your options will include the following:

1 Month - $3.99

3 Months - $7.99

12 Months - $19.99

Online Lobby and Voice Chat

The voice chat for the Nintendo Switch seems like it might be a bit convoluted but I guess they have until 2018 to figure it out. There will be a dedicated smart device app that will connect to the Nintendo Switch that will allow you to interact with your friends whether you want to play a game of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe together or set play appointments, all from your smart device. A free, limited version of this app will be released this upcoming summer.

Classic Game Selection

Similar to what Xbox does with their Games with Gold selection and what Sony does with PlayStation Plus, Nintendo Switch Online members will receive access to some free titles. Subscribers will be able to download a compilation of classic games. No word yet on if you will get to keep these games or if you will only have access to the games while they are a part of the program, presumably for a one month period. The cool thing here though is that some of the classic titles will feature will have online play. Imagine playing with/against your friends in Super Mario Bros. 3, Dr. Mario or Balloon Fight.

Nintendo eShop Deals

While nothing specific has been announced, subscribers will gain access to special deals on games and different content in the eShop.

Take a look at the graphic below for a nice comparison of what you will get as a paid subscriber and what will be available to you if you choose to go the free route. With E3 coming up soon one has to hope we might get some more details about this soon and, hopefully, we’ll also hear about Virtual Console.

Will you become a paid subscriber to the Nintendo Switch Online service when it launches in 2018? Tell us what you think below.

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