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Nintendo Offers 'Family Membership' for Switch Online Service

Nintendo revealed more details for its Switch Online service on Monday.

As previously announced, 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 also revealed a new "Family Membership" option, which costs US$34.99 for one year, and allows eight different users to use the service even on different systems.

The service gives Switch owners access to online multiplayer gaming, save files backed up in the cloud, and a mobile app that connects to the Switch. Subscribers can also download a selection of classic NES titles, some with additional online play, such as Dr. Mario, Balloon Fight, and Super Mario Bros. 3. Friends can also watch friends online play the games, and can allow other friends to take control of the game at any time. Subscribers can also get discounts on games or content on the Nintendo eShop.

The service will launch in September. 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.

Some games, such as Splatoon 2 and ARMS, will require a Switch Online subscription, but other games will vary.

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 17.79 million units worldwide as of March 31.

[Via Siliconera]