Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. News

Nintendo reveals surprisingly low annual cost for Switch online service in Japan

By

nintendo switch online service cost revealed switchface
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Nintendo discussed its pricing strategy for the upcoming Nintendo Switch’s pay-to-play online service on Wednesday, revealing an annual fee that’s a fraction of what players pay for similar services on competing console platforms like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

While pricing for North America has not yet been revealed, Nintendo notes that Japanese players could pay between 2,000 yen ($17.50) and 3,000 yen ($26.50) for an annual subscription, suggesting that a similar price range is in store for other regions.

Recommended Videos

During a showcase event in January, Nintendo revealed that the Switch will require an annual fee for online multiplayer and other network services. While rival console manufacturers Sony and Microsoft previously instituted annual fees for online multiplayer features for their PlayStation 4 and Xbox One titles, respectively, Nintendo has never required a subscription fee for its own games, marking a significant shift in strategy.

Related

Nintendo’s suggested pricing is a major point in its favor, however, as PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold annual subscriptions cost $60 each in the United States. That’s potentially more than twice or even three times as much as a Switch subscription will be, based on fees in Japan. Players who pay Nintendo’s annual fee will get access to online multiplayer features in upcoming games like Splatoon 2 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, along with other member-exclusive perks that will be revealed at a later date.

The Nintendo Switch console will hit store shelves worldwide in March alongside a selection of launch titles including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and 1, 2, Switch. Unlike previous Nintendo consoles, the Switch can be removed from its TV-connected dock and used as a portable gaming device, allowing players to seamlessly resume in-progress games while traveling.

While details regarding Nintendo’s paid online service remain scarce, company officials previously confirmed that subscribers will get access to one free NES or SNES Virtual Console game every month. Unlike similar offerings for Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus, Nintendo’s free games will be revoked at the end of each month, requiring players to buy full versions for continued access.

The Nintendo Switch launches on March 3.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Danny Cowan
Danny Cowan
Contributor
Danny’s passion for video games was ignited upon his first encounter with Nintendo’s Duck Hunt, and years later, he still…
Mother 3 is finally on Nintendo Switch … but only in Japan
Clause standing b y a bench in Mother 3.

Mother 3, the highly requested cult-classic RPG for the Game Boy Advance, is set to appear today on the Nintendo Switch Online service. But there's a catch: It's only available in Japan.

North Americans were first introduced to the Mother series under the name Earthbound on the SNES in 1995. As was common at the time, the game was renamed for the West in an attempt to avoid confusion. In 2006, a third entry was released in Japan for the GBA simply called Mother 3, but it has never had an official translation for Western audiences. Both Mother 2, aka Earthbound, and the original Mother, renamed Earthbound Beginnings, have been added to Nintendo Switch Online, but there has never been any indication that the third game would receive the same treatment.

Read more
Can you play the Nintendo Switch Lite on a TV?
nintendo new switch lite model fcc joy con drift blue

The Nintendo Switch Lite is the smaller, more affordable sibling of the standard Nintendo Switch. This makes it a great option for frugal shoppers, as it's capable of playing all the same games yet carries a much friendlier price tag. However, the Switch Lite doesn't share all the same features as the standard Switch. A big difference is that it won't fit in a traditional Switch dock. That means you'll need to pick up a third-party model if you want somewhere to store and charge your handheld while it's not in use.

But can you play the Nintendo Switch Lite on a TV while it's docked? And is it possible to play Switch Lite on a TV using an HDMI cable or other workaround? Here's everything you need to know about the device.
Can you play the Nintendo Switch Lite on a TV?

Read more
An AI company may have just leaked the Nintendo Switch 2’s name and release month
An image of the Nintendo Switch - OLED Model Mario Red Edition.

As part of the ongoing wave of AI-related news at CES 2024, Altec Lansing revealed an artificial intelligence-powered successor to GameShark called AI Shark. More interestingly, the press release regarding this software claims that the Nintendo Switch 2 will launch in September 2024.

"Formerly known as GameShark, AI Shark is set to redefine the gaming landscape with its revolutionary AI-enhanced technology," Altec Lansing explains in a press release. "The innovative gaming software is set to mark a significant leap forward in the gaming experience, bringing enhanced gameplay for beginner-level users. The official launch is planned to coincide with the Nintendo Switch 2 in September 2024."

Read more