Nintendo Unveils Switch Online Gaming Service

Nintendo has revealed its long-awaited  – if less than three months counts as “long-awaited” – online service for the Switch. The service will cost $20-a-year when launched next year, but online gaming will be free for all in the meantime. Bizarrely, though, voice chat and lobby features will only be accessible through a dedicated smartphone app.

Nintendo Switch Online includes ongoing access to a library of classic games you can take anywhere! pic.twitter.com/TtRKcImCiS

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 2, 2017

Nintendo Switch Online Service Features

• Online Play on Nintendo Switch

You’ll be able to play compatible co-op and competitive games online by signing in with your Nintendo Account. Online play will be free for Nintendo Account holders until our paid online service launches in 2018.

• Online lobby and voice chat

Our new dedicated smart device app will connect to Nintendo Switch and let you invite friends to play online, set play appointments, and chat with friends during online matches in compatible games─all from your smart device. A free, limited version of this app will be available for download in summer 2017.

• Classic Game Selection

Subscribers will get to download a compilation of classic titles with added online play, such as Super Mario Bros. 3, Balloon Fight and Dr. Mario.

• Nintendo eShop Deals

Special offers for subscribers may include discounts on select digital games and content.

• Pricing

The UK price is yet to be announced.

Classic Games

Previously, Nintendo intended to gift users one free classic title per months, but now subscribers will have access to a whole library of free retro games. Nintendo told Kotaku:

“Nintendo Switch Online subscribers will have ongoing access to a library of classic games with added online play. Users can play as many of the games as they want, as often as they like, as long as they have an active subscription.

Nintendo Switch Online subscribers will be able to play a wide variety of classic games, including Super Mario Bros. 3, Balloon Fight and Dr. Mario. More games will be announced at a later date. At launch the classic game library will include NES games. Super NES games continue to be under consideration, but we have nothing further to announce at this time.”