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Nintendo Reveals Details Of Switch Online Subscription, Includes Cloud Saves
Nintendo's paid online service was detailed today on the company's site and includes features like cloud save backups and eShop deals.
The service, which officially launches in September, is required for players that want to play online on the Switch after the service launch date. The subscription costs, according to Nintendo of America's website, is as follows:
- 1 month for $3.99
- 3 months for $7.99
- 12 months for $19.99
Additionally, there will be a family plan for multiple profiles on a Switch for $34.99 a year. This lets up to eight accounts in a family group split the cost. Otherwise, every profile needs to pay their own individual subscription fee, even on the same Switch.
A NES Classic Games service is also launching as part of the service with added online play, even for single player titles. That is to say that players playing The Legend of Zelda can pass off between two Switches online or just share your screen. Here are some of the first twenty titles that are launching with the service:
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Donkey Kong
- Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros.
- Balloon Fight
- Ice Climber
- Dr. Mario
- The Legend of Zelda
- Super Mario Bros. 3
Perhaps most importantly, Switch online subscription includes cloud backups for your saves, thus far the only way to back up saves of Switch games. There will also be exclusive eShop deals for subscribers.
For the unfortunate news, it does not seem like Nintendo has reconsidered its voice chat or app-based solutions for friend management and invites. Even with the NES games, Nintendo is still encouraging people to use their Nintendo online phone app introduced last Summer and mostly has not been used since. Access to the app will be locked off for non-subscribers once the September subscription update rolls out.
Nintendo says it will detail features like cloud saves further before the September launch.
[Source: Nintendo]
Our Take
Cloud saves are good, but it's a little disappointing it's locked behind a paywall. I'm interested in the online NES stuff, though, even if I'll have to rely on Discord for it.
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