New Details Emerge for Nintendo's Online Switch Service

May 7th: Nintendo officially revealed more information about Nintendo Switch Online, the much-anticipated paid online service for the Nintendo Switch. The service will officially launch this year in September.

#NintendoSwitch Online launches this September with Save Data Cloud backup and 20 classic NES games, with more to come, that have newly added online play!

View pricing and info here: https://t.co/ZPh215YNeT pic.twitter.com/CrDx3Iaaaf

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 8, 2018

Nintendo Switch Online will offer online gameplay for compatible Switch titles, including Splatoon 2, ARMS, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The service will also feature cloud backup for save data, as well as new online features for classic NES games. 20 NES games, including Super Mario Bros. and The Legend Of Zelda, will be available at launch, and new games will be added to the service regularly.

Nintendo Switch Online membership will cost $3.99 USD for a one month plan, $7.99 for three consecutive months, or $19.99 for a full year. A year-long family plan can also be purchased for $34.99, allowing up to seven others to access the account holder’s Nintendo Switch Online service. Non-subscribers will no longer have access to free online gameplay features once the service launches in September, though they will continue to receive system and game updates.

While currently unconfirmed, it is highly likely that the upcoming Super Smash Bros. title for the Switch will utilize the Nintendo Switch Online service. The service will be available for purchase in September on Nintendo’s website or through the Nintendo eShop.

Writer's Note: The information below could potentially be considered spoiler material. Viewer discretion is advised.

Spoiler

An alleged leak thread, posted May 1st on GameFAQs, correctly predicted the Nintendo Switch Online reveal for May 7th. The poster included other potential leaks for this year’s E3 event. However, the rest of the post has not been confirmed in any way.

 

It's meh at best, fam.

 

Yo I'm TOTALLY believing that leak!!!!!!! *Hype!*

 

well i only splatoon online so i dont think ill bother

 

A year-long family plan can also be purchased for $34.99, allowing up to seven others to access the account holder’s Nintendo Switch Online service.

A Nintendo Account holder may invite up to seven others to join a family group; all members of the group will have access to Nintendo Switch Online.

so, let me get this straight, there's a $20 plan for ONE person to go online... and there's a $35 for a "family group" to access the main account's online privileges and options... unless you live alone and are isolated from a lot of people at this point... that "family plan" looks very easy to take advantage of if it counts multiple Switch Consoles as part of that plan. especially if you and your best buddies have a console of their own, they can easily split the fee between each other.

meanwhile... so the Switch can let you back up your saves on the cloud, but only if the subscription service is going... I remember someone actually creating software that allows save backups already on the switch, it'd be nice if this were pitched to Nintendo as an alternative. cause as affordable as this service is, Nintendo's track record with online in general isn't the best, so you can never be too careful...

 

The leak is interesting, but also

Spoiler

I don't think the IC's are coming back in a million years, as much as they're missed

 

Is there a reason not to buy it?

 

so, let me get this straight, there's a $20 plan for ONE person to go online... and there's a $35 for a "family group" to access the main account's online privileges and options... unless you live alone and are isolated from a lot of people at this point... that "family plan" looks very easy to take advantage of if it counts multiple Switch Consoles as part of that plan. especially if you and your best buddies have a console of their own, they can easily split the fee between each other.

A lot of subscription plans online (like Apple Music) have similar family plans, but they aren't abused much because one individual is responsible for making payments. Getting everyone registered in a family group is cumbersome, and hoping everyone pays on time can be iffy. Then again, who knows? Some people will do anything for savings haha