Nintendo has unexpectedly revealed more details about its paid online service for the Switch that was originally set to launch this year. Here’s a summary of the new plans:
- The paid service will now launch in 2018, meaning online is free for the rest of the year (hooray)
- Allows you to play compatible co-op and competitive games online
- Online lobby and voice chat through a mobile app
- A free, limited version of the mobile app will be available for download in summer 2017
- Features a ‘Classic Game Selection’ for subscribers, these are classic titles with added online play, including Super Mario Bros. 3, Balloon Fight and Dr. Mario – it works like Netflix, with unlimited access to the games as long as you’re a subscriber
- Special offers for subscribers such as discounts on select digital games and content
- The service is only available on the Switch, and it will not come to the Wii U and 3DS
- The official pricing can be found below, being much fairer than many suspected:
Our first thoughts?
Nintendo has clearly changed things for the better here, with a Netflix-style games service at a price many didn’t expect. It seems the negative feedback to their original plans has carried some serious weight. Although we’re still not sure about using a mobile app for online play. Maybe we can expect further details at E3? Stay tuned.
A 2018 release? That’s okay, for once gamers won’t mind a delay. Let the free online continue.
Exactly. Hopefully it keeps slipping back and then becomes, ‘it’s free again now’.