Skip to main content

Paid Nintendo Switch Online service is now planned for September launch

Nintendo
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The Nintendo Switch launched without a paid subscription service for its online games, allowing anyone with an internet connection to play multiplayer in titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Splatoon 2. This wasn’t designed to last, with plans for a paid requirement to roll out last autumn. That didn’t end up happening, but Nintendo hasn’t abandoned its plans just yet — Nintendo Switch Online will now arrive in September 2018.

Following its original delay, Nintendo Switch Online was then planned for an “early 2018” release, but it isn’t clear why Nintendo has decided to delay introducing the paid requirement, with the Switch already breaking sales records and surpassing the Wii U in less than a year. The ease of entry has certainly made the system an easy sell, and requiring players to pay an extra fee could risk breaking up online communities. It’s possible that a new Switch-exclusive Pokémon game will be released in September, though the system’s portability could make any online functionality limited. The game has already been announced but no timetable has been given for its launch.

In addition to allowing online play, Nintendo Switch Online enables voice chat on the Switch through a separate smartphone app. It’s a complicated and archaic system that is currently compatible with Splatoon 2, and you must be connected to the game in order to chat with friends, making Skype or a regular phone call an attractive alternative.

Perhaps Nintendo Switch Online’s biggest selling point — and what has likely delayed the introduction of a Virtual Console on the system — is its “classic game selection.” All subscribers will get access to classic games including Super Mario Bros. 3 and Dr. Mario with online functionality. Instead of the few games a month offered by Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus, subscribing to Nintendo Switch Online will give you access to all games included in the vault,  and you “may” get discounts on digital games.

Pricing for Nintendo Switch Online remains unchanged from Nintendo’s previous announcements. A one-year membership will cost $20, while a three-month membership will cost $8. If you’re just interested in playing a particular online game at launch, you can also purchase a monthlong subscription for $4.

Editors' Recommendations

Gabe Gurwin
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom DLC is not happening, says Nintendo
Link and other characters from Tears of the Kingdom.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is one of the year's most successful games, but a developer from Nintendo has confirmed that it doesn't have plans to make any DLC for it. Speaking to the Japanese publication Famitsu, series producer Eiji Aonuma confirmed this was the case because the development team had already explored all of the ideas they wanted to in the base game and is now looking to the future.

"At this time, we are not planning to release additional content. We feel like we have already fully explored and exhausted the gameplay possibilities in this world," Aonuma said in comments translated by Video Games Chronicle. "Initially, the reason we decided to develop a sequel was because we believed there was still value in experiencing new gameplay within that particular Hyrule. If, in the future, we find a compelling reason, we may revisit that world once again. Whether it’s another sequel or an entirely new title, I believe the next game will offer a completely new experience."
While Aonuma's explanation is sound, it's still a pretty surprising move by Nintendo. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild received two expansions after it came out in 2017. Some fans expected that Tears of the Kingdom would follow in that game's footsteps, especially as it would make sense for Nintendo to find more ways to capitalize on a game that has already sold 18.51 million copies. Still, it's probably best for Nintendo to move on from Tears of the Kingdom and create something new rather than making underwhelming DLC for the sake of having post-launch content. 
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available now for Nintendo Switch.

Read more
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is getting a very red Nintendo Switch OLED
An image of the Nintendo Switch - OLED Model Mario Red Edition.

Nintendo is launching a Nintendo Switch - OLED Model Mario Red Edition in October. The news capped off the company's Super Mario Bros. Wonder Direct today, which shared new details on the upcoming platformer.

This new themed version of the latest Nintendo Switch iteration is completely red across the system and Joy-Cons. On the back of it, players can find a silhouette of Mario and hidden coins. It's not as detailed as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's OLED model, but it does look very sleek. This Mario Red Edition system will come out on October 6, two weeks ahead of Super Mario Bros. Wonder's release.

Read more
All cross-platform games (PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
Two squads of heroes clash in an Overwatch 2 trailer.

Cross-platform support is becoming more important in the world of video games. Multiplayer hits like Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 and Fortnite have pushed crossplay into the limelight, and now most AAA multiplayer games release with at least partial cross-platform support. Finding every cross-platform game is no easy feat, though, so we did the hard work to bring you a comprehensive list of games that support crossplay.

Unfortunately, there aren't any rules when it comes to crossplay, so each game handles the feature a little differently. To make matters more confusing, certain backward-compatible games on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X still support crossplay on the most recent hardware, even if there isn't an official release for that hardware.

Read more