Nintendo Switch owners have been clamoring for an online subscription service like Sony’s PlayStation Plus or Microsoft’s Xbox Live Gold. These paid subscription services not only allows the user to gain access to online multiplayer but also other benefits like cloud saving and free monthly games. About a year since Nintendo‘s hybrid console launched, the company has finally officially announced the Nintendo Switch Online service.
Nintendo Switch Online: Pricing
In a news post on the Nintendo site earlier today, it revealed that the Nintendo Switch Online service will launch in September 2018. For Switch owners in the US, individual memberships will arrive at $3.99, $7.99 and $19.99 for one month, three months and twelve months subscriptions, respectively. The company is also offering an economical family membership package for twelve months at $34.99, which will accommodate up to eight Nintendo Account holders.
Nintendo Switch Online: Online Multiplayer and Cloud Saves
The Nintendo Switch Online service will grant players the ability to play online in multiplayer and co-op games. The (arguably) most requested feature would have to be the save data cloud backup. Nintendo Switch owners will not have to worry about losing those precious hours of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild any longer.
Nintendo Switch Online: Classic NES Games
Although the Nintendo Switch Online service doesn’t seem to offer free monthly games (yet), Nintendo is offering subscribers access to a compilation of classic NES games. It will initially be comprised of 30 games at launch, including Balloon Fight, Dr. Mario, Super Mario Bros. 3, Donkey Kong, Ice Climber, The Legend of Zelda, Mario Bros., Soccer, Super Mario Bros. and Tennis. The remaining 10 games will be announced in the future.
Interestingly, these classic NES games can be played both online or offline. They will even support voice chat via the new Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app. Speaking of the app, it will be available to download on Android and iOS devices. It will “enhance” the online experience of certain games such as Splatoon 2, as well as allowing players to send online play invitations and initiate voice chats.
In other related news, Nintendo recently announced its financial earnings. The latest numbers reveal that the Nintendo Switch has managed to sell over 17 million units. Software sales numbers were impressive too, with Super Mario Odyssey being the hybrid console’s best-selling game with sales exceeding 10 million copies.
