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Nintendo Switch Online

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Nintendo Switch Online
DeveloperNintendo
TypeOnline service
Launch dateSeptember 19, 2018; 5 years ago (2018-09-19)
Platform(s)Nintendo Switch
StatusOnline
Websitewww.nintendo.com/switch/online-service/

Nintendo Switch Online is a suite of features on the Nintendo Switch video game console requiring purchase of a subscription. Nintendo Switch Online features include online multiplayer, cloud saving, voice chat, access to a library of Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) games, as well as other promotions and offers. Following a period where some of its features were available to all users at no charge, the subscription service officially launched on September 19, 2018.

History

In January 2017, prior to the release of the Nintendo Switch console in March, it was stated that online features such as multiplayer would eventually require purchase of a paid "online service", but that they would be available to all users at no charge until the service launched. Features announced included a companion smartphone app, as well as access to a free Nintendo Entertainment System game per-month. The service was initially planned for late 2017.[1]

In June 2017, it was announced that the service would be delayed until some time in 2018, and that Nintendo was aiming for an annual price of $20.[2] Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé explained that the delays were to ensure that the service was "world-class", and had enough of its announced functionality available on-launch to justify its cost.[3] Nintendo aimed for a lower price point in comparison to PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold, as the service does not include the same range of features as these subscription services provide.[4][5] Then-Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima stated that the price point was a subject of importance in designing the Switch's online services, and that regardless of what competitors were doing, "it's a matter of getting our content to the consumer at a price point that would make them happy, and then we're willing to look at what else we can do going forward."[6][6]

Additional features, including a larger and persistent library of NES games for subscribers (with 20 available on launch, and more to be added on an ongoing basis), as well as cloud save support, was unveiled during a Nintendo Direct presentation on September 17, 2018.[7] The service became available on September 19, 2018[8][9][10] in 43 markets.[11][12][13][14]

In September 2018, Nintendo Switch consoles imported to China started experiencing connectivity issues there, due to the Nintendo Switch Online service using Google's servers, which are blocked in China.[15]

As of December 31, 2018, approximately three months after its launch, the service had gained more than eight million subscribers.[16]

The service will launch for South Korea and Hong Kong in Q2 2019.[17]

Features

Multiplayer

Nintendo Switch Online is required to access online multiplayer on the majority of titles. Some free-to-play multiplayer games, such as Fortnite Battle Royale and Warframe, are exempt from this requirement, and can be played online freely without a subscription.[18][19]

Cloud saves

Cloud storage allows save data for many games to be synchronized online, so it can be recovered if the user must move their Nintendo Account to a different Switch console.[20] The feature is not available on games with certain forms of online functionality (particularly item trading and competitive rankings), citing concerns surrounding the possibility of abuse that could "unfairly affect" gameplay.[21]

Players lose access to their cloud saves should they cancel or allow their subscription to expire, though have a grace period of six months to renew their subscriptions or recover these cloud saves before these saves are purged.[22][23]

Communication

Users can voice chat through the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app on smartphones. Voice chat functionality is not available natively through the Switch console; Fils-Aimé justified the decision by explaining that "Nintendo's approach is to do things differently. We have a much different suite of experiences than our competitors offer, and we do that in a different way. This creates a sort of yin and yang for our consumers. They're excited about cloud saves and legacy content but wish we might deliver voice chat a different way, for example."[24]

NES games

Switch Online subscribers can access a Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) app, which features a persistent and expanding library of classic titles from the system. The games are available as long as the user has an active subscription, and a user must connect online at least once a week to continue to access the titles while offline. Games with multiplayer modes support both local and online play; the online play function is a first for NES games.[25][26][27][28]

List of NES games on Nintendo Switch Online
Games Release date
Balloon Fight

Baseball

Donkey Kong

Double Dragon

Dr. Mario

Excitebike

Ghosts'n Goblins

Gradius

Ice Climber

Ice Hockey

The Legend of Zelda

Mario Bros.

Pro Wrestling

River City Ransom

Soccer

Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario Bros. 3

Tecmo Bowl

Tennis

Yoshi

September 19, 2018[29]
The Legend of Zelda SP

NES Open Tournament Golf

Solomon's Key

Super Dodge Ball

October 10, 2018[30]
Gradius SP

Mario Open Golf SP (Japan only) [31]

Metroid

Mighty Bomb Jack

TwinBee

November 14, 2018[32]
Adventures of Lolo (Outside Japan only)

Adventures of Lolo 2 (Japan only)

Dr. Mario SP

Metroid SP (Ridley battle)

Ninja Gaiden

Wario's Woods

December 12, 2018[33][34]
Blaster Master

Ghosts'n Goblins SP

Joy Mech Fight (Japan only)

Ninja Gaiden SP

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

January 16, 2019[35][36]
Blaster Master SP

Kirby's Adventure

Metroid SP (Mother Brain battle)

Super Mario Bros. 2

Tsuppari Oozumou (Japan only)

February 13, 2019[37]
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and The Blade of Light (Japan only)

Kid Icarus Kirbys Adventure SP Zelda II: The Adventure of Link SP StarTropics (Outside Japan only)

Yie Ar Kung-Fu (Japan only)

March 13, 2019[38]

Offers and promotions

Switch Online subscribers are also granted access to special offers and promotions from Nintendo; on launch, those who purchased a 12-month subscription or family plan received special in-game items for Splatoon 2, and Nintendo opened exclusive pre-orders for special wireless controllers based on the NES controller,[39][40][41][42] specifically intended for use with the aforementioned NES app.

As of February 13, 2019, the first Nintendo Switch Online exclusive game, Tetris 99, has become available for free download on the Nintendo eShop. In the game, up to 99 players simultaneously compete in a battle royale-esque round of Tetris.[43]

References

  1. ^ "Nintendo Is Launching a New Online Service for the Switch". Time. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  2. ^ "Nintendo Switch online service pushed back to 2018". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  3. ^ Stark, Chelsea (June 15, 2017). "Nintendo boss explains why Switch's online services were delayed". Polygon. Archived from the original on June 15, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Pereira, Chris (February 1, 2017). "Nintendo Switch's Online Subscription Service May Cost Less Than You Expect". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 12, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Nunneley, Stephany (February 1, 2017). "Nintendo Switch Online Service will run between $17.50 and $26.50 a year in Japan". VG247. Archived from the original on February 1, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ a b Peckham, Matt (February 7, 2017). "19 Things Nintendo's President Told Us About Switch and More". Time. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Knezevic, Kevin (September 17, 2018). "Nintendo Switch Online Service: More Details Revealed In Nintendo Direct". GameSpot. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  8. ^ "Nintendo Switch Online is live — here's how to join". The Verge. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  9. ^ "What time will Nintendo Switch Online launch?". Polygon. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  10. ^ "The Nintendo Switch online service is launching on September 18th". The Verge. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  11. ^ "Nintendo of America cites 8 markets in the Americas". Nintendo of America. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  12. ^ "Nintendo UK cites 32 markets: 31 European countries and South Africa". Nintendo UK. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  13. ^ "Nintendo Australia cites Australian and New Zealand markets". Nintendo Australia. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  14. ^ "Nintendo Co., Ltd. cites Japanese market". Nintendo Co., Ltd. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  15. ^ "Gamers in China can't play online games on Nintendo Switch anymore". Abacus. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  16. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (January 31, 2019). "Nintendo Switch Online Surpasses 8 Million Subscribers". IGN. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  17. ^ Lane, Gavin (February 20, 2019). "Nintendo Switch Online To Launch In Hong Kong And South Korea". Nintendo Life. Retrieved February 20, 2019. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  18. ^ "Fortnite for Switch won't require Nintendo's premium online service for play". Polygon. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  19. ^ Fillari, Alessandro (November 20, 2018). "Warframe Out Now On Nintendo Switch -- An Impressive Port That Surprised Us". GameSpot. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  20. ^ "Cloud Saves are coming to the Nintendo Switch, here's how they'll work". Polygon. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  21. ^ Hollister, Sean (September 10, 2018). "Nintendo says cheaters are why some Switch games can't backup saves online". CNET. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  22. ^ Santangelo, Nick (September 14, 2018). "Nintendo Cloud Save Data Is Deleted If Your Subscription Expires". IGN. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  23. ^ Dornbush, Jonathan (September 25, 2018). "Nintendo Will Let You Recover Cloud Saves Up To 6 Months After Your Switch Online Subscription Lapses". IGN. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  24. ^ "Nintendo president: "I compete for time," not against Xbox, PlayStation". Ars Technica. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  25. ^ Schreier, Jason (May 1, 2017). "Nintendo Switch's Online Service Will Be $20/Year, Includes Classic Games [UPDATE]". Kotaku. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ Schreier, Jason (June 1, 2017). "Nintendo Switch's Online Service Will Be $20/Year, Includes Classic Games". Kotaku. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ Saed, Sharif (June 2, 2017). "No more just one free game you can only play for a month: Nintendo changes its online service's free game scheme". VG247. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ Stevens, Colin (September 17, 2018). "Nintendo Switch Online: Nes Games Can Be Played Offline For Up To Seven Days". IGN. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  29. ^ Good, Owen S. (September 13, 2018). "Nintendo Switch Online has these 20 classic NES games". Polygon. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  30. ^ Knezevic, Kevin (October 5, 2018). "Nintendo Switch Online Adding Three More NES Games Next Week". GameSpot. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  31. ^ {{Cite web|url=https://miketendo64.com/2018/11/14/gradius-is-this-months-sp-nes-game-available-with-nintendo-switch-online/
  32. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (November 6, 2018). "Three New NES Games, Including Metroid, Are Headed to Nintendo Switch Online Next Week". IGN. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  33. ^ Doolan, Liam (December 5, 2018). "Nintendo Adds Three More Games To The Switch Online NES Library On 12th December". Nintendo Life. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  34. ^ Keane, Sean. "Nintendo Switch Online update brings two surprises". CNET. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  35. ^ Keane, Sean. "Nintendo Switch Online adds another NES Zelda game next week". CNET. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  36. ^ "NES – Nintendo Switch Online Update Stealth-Releases Ninja Gaiden, Ghosts'n Goblins' SP Versions". Siliconera. January 16, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  37. ^ Romano, Sal (February 6, 2019). "NES – Nintendo Switch Online adds Kirby's Adventure and Super Mario Bros. 2 on February 13". Gematsu.com. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  38. ^ Romano, Sal (March 4, 2019). "NES - Nintendo Switch Online adds Kid Icarus and StarTropics on March 13". Gematsu.com. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  39. ^ Gach, Ethan (September 13, 2018). "Nintendo Switch Is Getting NES Controllers". Kotaku. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  40. ^ Fogel, Stefanie (September 13, 2018). "Nintendo Switch Online Members Can Buy These Nifty NES Controllers". Variety. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  41. ^ Carter, Chris (September 16, 2018). "Say what? Nintendo states Switch NES Joy-Con will only work on NES games". Destructoid. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  42. ^ Knezevic, Kevin (September 14, 2018). "Nintendo Switch Online's First "Special Offers" Revealed". GameSpot. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  43. ^ Watts, Steve (February 15, 2019). "Tetris 99 Is A Surprise Battle Royale Game For Nintendo Switch, Out Now". GameSpot. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
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