Since the release of the Nintendo Switch in early March 2017, users have been able to play online for free. This changes pretty soon.
Nintendo recently revealed that it will be releasing the details of its paid subscription service in May.
Nintendo Switch Online
There have been rumors in the past as to what the paid subscription service would be like and how much it would cost, but nothing has been officially announced.
The name of the service will be Nintendo Switch Online. Nintendo previously tweeted that the service would start in September 2018. Therefore, Switch players don't have to fret just yet if they still don't have the money for the subscription service.
So far, players have been able to enjoy playing online for free while Nintendo completes the online platform. It was in its latest financial report which details its fourth-quarter earnings from having sold 17 million Switch units that it announced when the details for the paid subscription would be revealed.
Price Options
Nintendo has kept adding new details to its paid subscription but one thing has stayed the same: its pricing. The prices have been up since the release of the console, which continues to be one of the best-selling consoles.
As of the moment, the Nintendo Switch Online page still shows the low prices. One month of Nintendo Switch Online will cost $3.99, a 3-month membership will cost $7.99, and a 12-month membership will cost $19.99. Nintendo will announce the prices for other countries close to the launch.
Nintendo Switch Online will be massively cheaper than PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold. PlayStation Plus costs $9.99 for one month, $24.99 for three months, and $59.99 for one year. Xbox Live Gold for one month costs $9.99, three months costs $24.99, and one year is at $59.99.
Along with the prices on the website, Nintendo lists its classic games offered to players. Nintendo has a vast library of classic games and it is taking full advantage of this fact. Some of the games that are featured are Super Mario Bros. 3, Balloon Fight, and Doctor Mario.
There is still no indication that Nintendo will offer free games from the current generation like PlayStation and Xbox do with their services. There have been reports that Nintendo's classic games will only be free for the months that they are available. This would be a setback for Nintendo since its competitors allow players to keep the games forever once they download the games. It could explain the low price of the service.
