Posted in: Games, Video Games | Tagged: nintendo, nintendo switch, Nintendo Switch Online, switch

Nintendo Finally Announces the Nintendo Switch Online Service Launch

Published Thu, 13 Sep 2018 19:20:49 -0500

Nintendo has been delaying the promised Switch Online service since the console released last spring. However, tonight's Nintendo Direct has given us an overview of the service, its various price-points, and its launch date. Like Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus, the Nintendo Switch Online service will give members access to online play and cloud save data backup features, back compatibility to play older Nintendo titles, a smartphone app, and voice chat. So basically, the Switch Online service will be essential for anyone who wants to play online multiplayer for most games.

Nintendo Switch owners will not be automatically enrolled when the service launches on September 18th, but will need to purchase an individual or family membership in order to continue using online multiplayer in most games.

The full list of features for the Online service includes:

Online play
Save Data Cloud backup service
Access to the NES – Nintendo Switch Online collection of classic games with added online play
- At launch, 20 NES games will be available with more games added regularly.
- Confirmed launch NES titles include:
  - Super Mario Bros. 3
  - The Legend of Zelda
  - Ice Hockey
  - Pro Wrestling
Special offers
a Smartphone app with features to make online gaming sessions more fun and engaging for supported games
- Many online games will support voice chat through the Smartphone app. Confirmed games include:
  - Splatoon 2
  - Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
  - ARMS
  - Mario Tennis Aces

You can find out more information on pricing, or pre-order a 3 or 12 month membership, here. As is usually the case with membership services, the 12-month subscription comes with significant savings over the monthly plan, though it does lock you in for a full 12 month period.

Nintendo Switch Online will have a seven-day free trial at launch, so if you want to try it before you buy it, you will be able to do so.

Finally, to complement the Switch Online service's NES library, Nintendo is releasing a new wireless Nintendo Entertainment System Controller for the Nintendo Switch to give you that proper retro experience. The NES controllers will be available for purchase exclusively for Nintendo Switch owners with a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership in the U.S. and Canada. The re-created iconic controllers come in a pack of two for a retail price of $59.99 and can be charged through the Nintendo Switch dock. The NES controllers will go live for pre-orders on September 18th. You can find out more information on the NES controllers here.

You can check out the Switch Online service in overview below. You can watch the NES Controller announcement from the stream here.