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Nintendo Switch Online Service is a new paid online service similar to Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus, which promises online gaming, voice chat and free games, Nintendo has announced.
“This service lets Nintendo Switch owners enjoy online multiplayer gaming as well as a dedicated smartphone app that connects to your Nintendo Switch system and helps you connect with friends for online play sessions,” explains Nintendo.
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 fall 2017. Most games will require a paid online service subscription from Nintendo in order to play online.
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.
Monthly game download: Subscribers will get to download and play a Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) or Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Super NES) game (with newly-added online play) for free for a month.
Exclusive deals: Special offers for subscribers may include discounts on select digital games and content.
Nintendo stresses that standard online features such as system and game updates will remain free to all Switch users. The table below shows what is free and what isn’t. Nintendo hasn’t said how much the service will cost.
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Furthermore, it sounds like those outside of the Americas won’t have access to the paid online service at launch.
“The paid online service will be available in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico only at launch,” states Nintendo.
For more on Switch check out our report on all the details you need to know about its launch.
Source: Nintendo
