Nintendo doesn't like collaborating with other companies that often, but it seemed to have turned a corner these past several months with its recent and surprisingly close partnership with Microsoft, which brought both cross-platform play for Minecraft players on Switch, and will bring a port of once-Xbox-exclusive Cuphead.
Its latest partnership is with Amazon, or more specifically, Twitch. The livestreaming service's latest benefit for Twitch Prime subscribers is a free year of Nintendo Switch Online service, which usually costs $19.99.
Nintendo Switch Online Free For A Year
Twitch will give out the free perk in two stages: first, subscribers will be able to claim a free three-month membership, then after 60 days, they'll be able to come back and get another nine months — a year's worth of free Switch Online, in total. Twitch allows both new and existing Switch Online subscribers. Current users will get the extra months added on top of their existing plan.
How To Get It
Twitch says Prime subscribers have only until Sept. 28 to claim the three-month subscription, and until Jan. 28, 2020 to claim the other nine months after they've burned through the former.
Fair warning: "Nintendo Switch Online membership will automatically convert to a 3-month membership for $7.99 unless automatic renewal is turned off any time up to 48 hours before the end of the initial 3-month membership," says Twitch, so users should check their renewal settings after claiming the free service to ensure they don't pay extra.
Is It Worth It?
Considering Twitch Prime is part of Amazon Prime, which costs $12.99 per month or $119 per year, picking up the perk just for the free year of Switch Online doesn't seem to bring a whole lot of value. Users would have to pay at least two months to get the full year, it's worth noting. This deal is perfect for those already paying for Amazon Prime, though.
Switch Online is Nintendo's online gaming service that offers a handful of benefits to Switch players, including online multiplayer, cloud saves, and best of all, access to a growing library of streamable NES games.
