As Nintendo try to finally get their act together with online gaming, they’ve decided that they want to create an Xbox Live or PlayStation Plus style subscription service. However, the full service wasn’t ready at launch, just the basic online play and friend lists, and was instead planned for an autumn 2017 release with multiplayer being free until that point. That launch has now been pushed back until 2018.
While updating the Nintendo Switch Online pages of their global websites, Nintendo have also added details of the service’s price. There’s no GBP pricing, but it will set players back $19.99 / €19.99 for a whole year, which is less than half the cost of PS+ or Xbox Live Gold – it’s actually the same price as three months of those services. You will also be able to buy three months access for $7.99 / €7.99 or a month for $3.99 / €3.99.
The prices are fairly reasonable, the subscription includes online multiplayer, the use of a lobby voice chat and messaging app, and discounts in the eShop.
However, Nintendo have changed the free game plan that will come with the service. Previously it was announced that subscribers would get access to one classic game for just a single month, with the option to purchase it after the trial period ended. Nintendo now say you will get access to a “library of classic games” including Super Mario Bros. 3, Balloon Fight and Dr. Mario. The service will work in the same way as PlayStation Plus, if you have a current active subscription you will be able to play all the games, at any time, and some of them will be updated to include online functionality.
The reason for the delay isn’t necessarily infrastructure, as Nintendo say that you’ll be able to get “A free, pre-release version of this smart device app will be available in summer 2017.” This will doubtless come alongside or before Splatoon 2’s release, at which point you’ll have to put up with this unholy mess if you want to have both voice and game audio when playing a game…
TheShepanator
That thing is ridiculous, and what if you want to chat online while the switch is in docked mode!?
Tuffcub
Or like… use your phone?
Stefan L
The audio jack is on the top of the Switch, so you just need to have a sufficiently long cable to the Switch.
fragster
Sweet, less than 20quid a year is fine by me.
DividSmythe
Not just sub £20 which is a great deal but according to what Eurogamer say “Users can play as many of the games as they want, as often as they like, as long as they have an active subscription.” http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-06-02-nintendo-switchs-premium-online-service-will-remain-free-until-2018
Now that is​ getting serious…
TrumpyMx
Last gen offering all-round, console performance, network offerings.
Not really sure what the switch USP is, aside from the novelty controller overpriced tegra tablet thing.