Nintendo Switch Online Lays Out New Membership Details Ahead Of Launch (VIDEO)
Nintendo’s long-awaited online service was finally unveiled during their recent Direct presentation, letting loose substantial new information regarding pricing, features, and an official start date. Of the reveals, five aspects in total were fleshed out such as its NES game service, smartphone app, cloud saving, online play, and mysterious special offers. These reveals weren’t too unexpected, but even more has also been laid out just ahead of the Nintendo Switch Online launch.
Nintendo’s forthcoming online service will provide the usual expected features such as access to a game’s online modes, but also locks voice chat to only those with subscriptions. Taking place through a smartphone app, sessions will take a purely optional route by allowing the ability to mute other players or quit whenever they’d like. Those not old enough won’t be able to participate at all, as the online app restricts all access to players under the age of 13.
Nintendo will also provide a previously-disclosed game service called ‘Nintendo Entertainment System—Nintendo Switch Online,’ giving players access to numerous classic NES titles “instantly.” Each offering will contain new features such as local co-op and online multiplayer in a slate of 20 titles at launch. Also made available is the much-requested Save Data Cloud, allowing save data to be automatically loaded to the online cloud in case of irreparable damage to their Switch.
Another incentive teases member-exclusive “Special Offers,” which were touted to be fully unveiled at a later date. For now the full scope of rewards remains a mystery. Those interested in the online service are able to try it for free in a 7-day trial at launch, which after completion automatically converts into a full subscription. Users have the option to turn off automatic renewal, but must do so at least 48 hours before the period ends.
If players opt to end their Nintendo Switch Online membership, cloud saves will unfortunately bite the dust, but games downloaded through the NES online service will continue to be stored locally. However, as these games require an active Online membership, users won’t be able to access the playable content until their subscription is renewed.
Pricing has been confirmed to start at $3.99 USD per month, going up to $7.99 USD and $19.99 USD for three months and twelve months respectively. Options are divided between Individual and Family Memberships, wherein the latter links up to 8 Nintendo accounts for the yearly price of $34.99 USD. Subscribers inclined to buy additional memberships ahead of time are in luck as accumulated time is confirmed to stack, allowing for seemingly endless membership durations for those with the monetary means.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2MbclhRzmg
If these restrictions seem too unappealing or costly for some, Nintendo confirmed that newer legacy consoles such as Nintendo 3DS or Wii U will still offer online modes for free, as the new online service only applies to the Switch. Those conversely looking forward to Nintendo Switch Online will be able to take part when it launches on September 18th. Memberships are currently available for pre-purchase from retailers such as Amazon.
What do you think? Are you loving all the perks included with Nintendo Switch Online, or do you feel that old NES games are not a fair trade-off? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day! For more news from the realm of Nintendo, check out these next few news stories:
Eric Hall2712 Posts
Phone-browsing Wikipedia in one hand and clutching his trusty controller in the other, the legendary Eric Hall spreads his wealth of knowledge as a writer for Don't Feed the Gamers. Be sure to catch his biweekly "Throwback Thursday" segment for a nostalgic look at trivia from the past.
