Switch Insider Nintendo Switch News and Reviews
After months of rumors, Nintendo has finally revealed details about their online service for the Switch. Rumors swirled that it would launch in the fall of 2017, but the company revealed that it will actually launch in 2018. A smartphone app will allow for online play sessions with friends, and online play will be free until the paid online service actually begins. Once it launches, players will be able to download a compilation of classic games with newly-added online play, including Balloon Fight, Dr. Mario, and Super Mario Bros 3. There may also be discounts on eShop games for paid online users, and the pricing tiers are variable.
Service begins at $3.99 a month, but you can get a bit of a price break with three months for $7.99, but the best value is defintiely $19.99 per year. This may seem like a bad value, but the compilation alone is worth at least a five spot for me, as I love Balloon Fight and playing that online will be a huge time sink. Free and paid online services are broken down with things like eShop deals being exclusive to paid members – which is going to be a bit disappointing as services like PSN have sales for non-paying members as well as paying ones. The online lobby and voice chat functionality is also a bit odd, but it’s Nintendo – so that’s not too shocking, and paying for online is just how it’s done for consoles now. At $20 a year, it at least offers up a fair amount of value for the money.
