Nintendo Switch Online Details Revealed by Nintendo

Written by Brandon Hofer on May 07, 2018

News: We finally have some details on Nintendo’s online service that will launch later this year.

Nintendo has just revealed some details about their Nintendo Switch Online service. The Nintendo Switch Online service will be an affordable, multi-featured paid service that lets users enjoy online play for compatible Nintendo Switch games, access classic NES games with added online functionality, back up save data for most games and use additional features for the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app that will enhance the online experience for compatible games.

U.S. Pricing: Various price points offer a variety of affordable options for different players.

Individual memberships:

One month: $3.99

Three months: $7.99

12 months: $19.99

Family membership (12 months): $34.99 - With a family membership, up to eight Nintendo Account holders will be able to use the Nintendo Switch Online service, even on different systems.

Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online

Subscribers will have access to NES – Nintendo Switch Online, a compilation of classic NES games. The collection will initially include 20 games, with more added on a regular basis. At launch, previously announced games Balloon Fight, Dr. Mario and Super Mario Bros. 3 will be joined by Donkey Kong, Ice Climber, The Legend of Zelda, Mario Bros., Soccer, Super Mario Bros. and Tennis. An additional 10 launch games will be announced in the future.

For the first time ever, players will be able to enjoy these classic NES games online. Depending on the game, players can engage in online competitive or co-op multiplayer, or take turns controlling the action. Friends can even watch each other play single-player games online, and “pass the controller” at any time. Every classic NES game will support voice chat via the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app. It will also be possible to play these games offline.

Save Data Cloud Backup

By using Nintendo Switch Online, a backup of Nintendo Switch save data for most Nintendo Switch games will be stored online for easy access. This is great for people who want to retrieve their data if they lose, break or purchase an additional Nintendo Switch system.

Online Play

A Nintendo Switch Online membership will be needed to participate in co-op and competitive online features for many current and upcoming Nintendo Switch games, such as Splatoon 2, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, ARMS, Mario Tennis Aces and Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido.

Nintendo Switch Online App

The Nintendo Switch Online smartphone application can be used to enhance the online experience for compatible games through voice chat and other features.

What do you think about these details for Nintendo’s online service? It sounds like they will indeed have a Virtual Console-esque type of thing but it is being called “Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online.” No details yet on whether we will get titles from other Nintendo consoles as well. Also, we will finally be getting cloud saves, which is a pretty big deal if you play games like the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and you were worried about losing your save.

Will you be purchasing Nintendo’s online service when it launches in September? Tell us what you think below.