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Switch Online Service Launches in September

The official Twitter account for Nintendo and Nintendo of America both announced on Thursday that its Switch Online service will debut in September.

Nintendo's Italian website had briefly listed the service with a fall 2018 release in December, but reverted to a general date of 2018.

Nintendo had announced last June that the service will launch this year. The service gives Switch owners access to online multiplayer gaming, and a mobile app that connects to the Switch. Subscribers can also download a selection of classic titles with additional online play, such as Dr. Mario, Balloon Fight, and Super Mario Bros. 3. Subscribers can also get discounts on games or content on the Nintendo eShop.

Regarding the classic title selection, Nintendo earlier confirmed with gaming news website Kotaku that the plan is now different than the one Nintendo originally outlined. Nintendo told Kotaku, "...subscribers will have ongoing access to a library of classic games with added online play. Users can play as many of the games as they want, as often as they like, as long as they have an active subscription.” Nintendo also told Kotaku that it will announce more classic games that will be part of the service later, and that the service will include original NES games. Nintendo is taking Super NES games "under consideration."

The subscription costs US$3.99 for a one-month membership, US$7.99 for a three-month membership, and US$19.99 for a 12-month membership. Nintendo of America is launching the service in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Nintendo began offering a free trial version for the app for a limited time starting with the release of the Splatoon 2 game last July. The app allows users to voice chat with friends during online matches, set appointments, and invite friends.

Nintendo is continuing to offer online play for free to Nintendo Account holders until the paid service launches this year. The online service was originally slated to be free only until fall 2017.

Nintendo stated that after the free trial period ends, "most games" will require the paid Nintendo Switch Online service in order to play online.

The Japanese version of the service costs 300 yen (about US$2.70) for a one-month membership, 800 yen (US$7.20) for a three-month membership, and 2,400 yen (US$21.50) for a 12-month membership. The Japanese version otherwise includes the same features.

Nintendo released its Switch console in March last year, and the console sold 10 million units worldwide as of December 10.

[Via Gematsu, Hachima Kikō, Otakomu]