For quite some time now, Nintendo Switch owners have had the luxury of enjoying online play for no additional charge whatsoever, a slight advantage the console had over the PlayStation 4 (PS4) and Xbox One. However, it was always known that it would be a temporary affair, and now Nintendo has officially announced that those days are numbered as their paid subscription service, Nintendo Switch Online, launches in September.
Officially announced on its website, Nintendo's new online service will arrive later this year. Just like PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch Online will enable Switch owners to go online and play multiplayer games through the service.
In addition to that, somewhat similar to the Virtual Console of Nintendo's older machines, Switch Online will allow subscribers to download classic Nintendo titles such as the original "Dr. Mario" and "Balloon Fight."
It will also give subscribers access to all the features of the Nintendo Switch Online app for mobile. Through the app, players will be able to invite friends to play games with them as well as use online voice chat, though admittedly that last one could use some work in terms of implementation as many players found it clunky and annoying to use.
For the time being, Nintendo is offering three packages for its new service, all based on how many months customers want to sign on for — $3.99 for one month, $7.99 for three months, and finally $19.99 for a full-year subscription.
While it is not unusual for a console platform to ask for additional cost when it comes to online services (both Sony and Microsoft do the same, after all) it is worrying that this service is coming from Nintendo, the same company that believed Friend Codes was a good system for exchanging player data on the 3DS.
The Japanese company has never had a good track record when it comes to online functionality — just looking at how voice chat was implemented on the Switch is more than enough evidence. And them asking for money for their services could easily backfire if such will not be on par with what Sony and Microsoft have had for years now.
