By: Max Cannon
Nintendo's long-awaited online service was announced around the launch of the Nintendo Switch but was pretty quickly delayed. Now, we finally have some information on what to expect in September when the service officially goes live.
Returning to the NES
Some of the things we already knew about the Switch's online service are still true, like the necessary use of that clunky app to communicate with other players. Nintendo also seems to be taking some cues from both PlayStation and Xbox by offering up some games to add to your library in exchange for your payment for the online service. However, while the competition gives out some huge games like Ratchet and Clank and SUPERHOT Nintendo have only announced plans to release monthly NES games to subscribers.
Donkey Kong Country Returns to Switch - Kidzworld Weekly News
This is disappointing, not because the NES games aren't welcome, but because it feels limiting to only include the earliest of Nintendo games on a console that's begging for ALL of Nintendo's older titles from the NES to the Wii U. Last year, we were hopeful that Virtual Console would be added onto the Nintendo Switch but a recent report confirmed our fears that Virtual Console would not be coming to the Switch at all. With the launch of Nintendo's online service on the horizon, it's disappointing that we won't have a feature that was available since the days of the Wii. However, it's not all bad news as these games are getting online co-op to really bring them into 2018. Nintendo lists the upcoming games so far as Balloon Fight, Dr. Mario, Super Mario Bros. 3, Donkey Kong, Ice Climber, The Legend of Zelda, Mario Bros., Soccer, Super Mario Bros., Tennis and "10 others that will be announced in the future."
Virtual Console won't be coming to the Nintendo SwitchCourtesy of Nintendo Today
Nintendo's Affordable Online
Here's how pricing is laid out for the new service, and what you'll exactly get with your hard earned money, information courtesy of Nintendo:
Individual memberships:
- One month: USD $3.99 / Canadian $4.99
- Three months: USD $7.99 / Canadian $9.99
- 12 months: USD $19.99 / Canadian $24.99
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Family membership (12 months): USD $34.99 / Canadian $44.99
- With a family membership, up to eight Nintendo Account holders will be able to utilize the Nintendo Switch Online service, even on different systems!
- Save Data Cloud: 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.
Splatoon 2's online will soon cost players extra to enjoy.Courtesy of Nintendo
So you'll obviously need this online service to enjoy playing your favorite games on the internet, so if you've been enjoying games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Splatoon 2 since launch you'll need to dish out some cash to play online in September. And if you've been pained by lost save data on the Switch, you'd also be happy to see that above info about the cloud, this means you could upload your saves to Nintendo's servers and redownload them at your leisure.
Super Mario Bros 3 is one of the first games to come to the NES lineup.Courtesy of Nintendo
Have Your Say!
What do you think of Nintendo's upcoming live service? Which games are you hoping get added to the library? Share your thoughts below!
