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Nintendo Switch Online is the Nintendo Switch online subscription service. Online gameplay was free until the service's launch where it had to be paid through it. It launched on September 18, 2018.
An add-on subscription, Expansion Pack, which includes access to additional games, was released on October 25, 2021.
As of September 2023, there are more than 38 million users subscribed to NSO.[1]
Online Gameplay[]
To play any of the paid games online, Nintendo Switch owners need to be subscribed to the service. Free-to-Play games like Fortnite will not require the subscription.
Phone App[]
The Nintendo Switch Online's online play is organized through a smart device application released in Summer 2017. The application will let the player invite friends to play online, set appointments and chat with friends during games with compatible games. The compatible games are:
- Splatoon 2 (2017)
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017)
- ARMS (2017)
- Mario Tennis Aces (2018)
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018)
- Splatoon 3 (2022)
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020)
- Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online (2019)
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online (2019)
- Game Boy - Nintendo Switch Online (2023)
The Animal Crossing New Horizons functionality leads directly to the NookLink feature, which includes access to the in-game passport, a keyboard function, a friends list, a list of reactions that have been collected thus far, an interactive item catalog, a nook points receiving and exchange function that will provide players with exclusive items, the newspaper function for the player's island covering events the player was involved in, the island life 101 function that supplies tips from Tom Nook and/or Isabelle, a means to transfer custom designs from New Link to New Horizons, and a settings menu.
The Splatoon 3 functionality entails checking battle logs for upcoming maps and modes, instantaneous editing of various clothing, getting special items after helping Crusty Sean, as well as ordering unique in-game gear via the SplatNet shop, as well as a photo album and various widgets.
The Super Smash Bros Ultimate functionality contains various videos of battles, plus a means to get caught up on developing matches and shared stage designs.
The Splatoon 2 functionality supplies details on various stages, upcoming events via Salmon Run, various battles (up to 50 prior battles), and your overall stats, plus purchaseable items.
Cloud Saving[]
Players will be able to get cloud saving for compatible games. The cloud saves will automatically uploaded to cloud services on a regular basis and require no input from the user. Saves can be transferred to other Switches. Leaderboards and other online stats are the only things not included in the cloud saves.
So far, only a limited number of games exclude Cloud Saving including Splatoon 2, Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Pokémon Sword and Shield, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Exclusive Content[]
Nintendo Switch Online subscribers get access to the following content exclusively for the service:
- Nintendo Entertainment System Online (more details below)
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System Online (more details below)
- Nintendo 64 Online (more details below)
- SEGA Genesis Online (more details below)
- Missions and Rewards (more details below)
- Tetris 99
- Pac-Man 99
- Ability to purchase the Nintendo Entertainment System Joy-Con pair, Super Nintendo Entertainment System Nintendo Switch Controller, Nintendo 64 Nintendo Switch controller and Sega Genesis Nintendo Switch Controller.
- Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers
- F-ZERO 99
Online Game Library[]
Subscribers would gain access to a vast amount of games online from Nintendo's past systems including those of the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. These collections of games does not cycle out games and subscribers can play as many games as they want from this selection. The games support online multiplayer including an option for a second player to watch and give hints via a cursor. All games are displayed at a higher resolution and are always displayed at a 4:3 aspect ratio. Apps are downloaded freely from the Nintendo Switch's eShop.
Nintendo Entertainment System Online[]
Games from the Nintendo Entertainment System library. As of March 30, 2022, there are 61 unique games available in North America on the service.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System Online[]
Games from the Super Nintendo Entertainment System library were made available since September 2019. As of March 30, 2022, there are 51 unique games available in North America on the service.
Game Boy Online[]
Games from the original Game Boy family of systems were made available since February 2023. 9 games were made available at launch.
Nintendo 64 Online (Expansion Pack)[]
Games from the Nintendo 64 library were made available since October 2021. As of October 2022, there are 18 unique games available in North America on the service, with eight more on the way by 2023.
Sega Genesis Online (Expansion Pack)[]
Games from the Sega Genesis library were made available since October 2021. As of October 2022, there are 31 unique games available in North America on the service.
Game Boy Advance Online (Expansion Pack)[]
Games from the original Game Boy Advance family of systems were made available since February 2023. 6 games were made available at launch.
Missions and Rewards[]
In March 1, 2022, Missions and Rewards were added. Nintendo Switch Online members get weekly missions, that when complete give members My Nintendo Platinum points. The missions reset weekly. Members can also exchange platinum points for user icon elements. The elements are divided in three types: character, frame and background. All three can combine to make an original user icon The user icon elements rotate weekly based on a game and the game changes every month.
The rewards categories thus far have been as follows:
- March 2022: Super Mario Odyssey, Animal Crossing: New Horizons (March birthdays)
- April 2022: Super Mario Odyssey, Animal Crossing: New Horizons (April birthdays), Splatoon 2, Kirby and the Forgotten Land
- May 2022: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (May Birthdays), Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- June 2022: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (June Birthdays), The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- July 2022: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (July Birthdays), Super Mario Odyssey, Kirby and the Forgotten Land
- August 2022: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (August Birthdays), Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass, Xenoblade Chronicles 3
- September 2022: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (September Birthdays), Nintendo Entertainment System themes, Kirby's Dream Buffet, Splatoon 3
- October 2022: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (October Birthdays), The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- November 2022: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (November Birthdays), Super Mario Odyssey, Nintendo 64 themes (Super Mario 64; The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask; Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards); Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (final two weeks of the month)
- December 2022: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (December Birthdays), Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (first few weeks of December up until Christmas), Splatoon 3, Nintendo 64 themes (Yoshi's Story; The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time; F-Zero X); returning icon elements each day from December 22 to January 6 PDT time (list below)
- December 22: Kirby and the Forgotten Land
- December 23: Super Mario Odyssey
- December 24: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- December 25: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- December 26: Xenoblade Chronicles 3
- December 27: Mario Strikers: Battle League
- December 28: Kirby's Dream Buffet
- December 29: Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online
- December 30: Kirby and the Forgotten Land
- December 31: Super Mario Odyssey
- January 2023: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (January Birthdays), Nintendo 64 themes (Mario Kart 64, Star Fox 64, Paper Mario); Nintendo Switch Sports, Fire Emblem Engage, returning icon elements each day from December 22 to January 6 PDT time (list below)
- January 1: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- January 2: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- January 3: Xenoblade Chronicles 3
- January 4: Mario Strikers: Battle League
- January 5: Kirby's Dream Buffet
- January 6: Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online
- February 2023: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (February Birthdays), Fire Emblem Engage, Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
- March 2023: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (March Birthdays), Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, Metroid Prime Remastered, Splatoon 3
- April 2023: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (April Birthdays), Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Until May 3)
- May 2023: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (May Birthdays), Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (until May 11), The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (until May 3), The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (until May 25)
- June 2023: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (June Birthdays), Xenoblade Chronicles 3 reissues/Xenoblade Chronicles 2; Pikmin (until July 6); Fire Emblem Engage reissues (until June 29); Splatoon 3 (until July 27)
- July 2023: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (July Birthdays), Splatoon 3 (until July 27), Pikmin (until August 10)
- August 2023: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (August Birthdays), Pikmin (until August 10), The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (until September 7), Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (until August 15), Splatoon 3 Wave 1 (until August 16)
- September 2023: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (September Birthdays), The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (until September 7), Splatoon 3 (until September 28), Detective Pikachu Returns (until October 26)
- October 2023: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (October Birthdays), Detective Pikachu Returns (until October 26), Super Mario Bros. Wonder (until November 16)
- November 2023: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (November Birthdays), Super Mario Bros. Wonder (until November 16), WarioWare: Move It! (until November 23), Super Mario RPG (until December 7), Happy Holidays (until December 25), Splatoon 3 (until December 7).
- December 2023: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (December Birthdays), Super Mario RPG (until December 7), Happy Holidays (until December 25), Splatoon 3 (until December 7), Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet (until January 18, 2024), Super Mario Bros. Wonder (until January 8).
- December 25: WarioWare: Move It!
- December 26: Metroid Prime Remastered
- December 27: Fire Emblem Engage
- December 28: Detective Pikachu Returns
- December 29: Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
- December 30: Pikmin
- December 31: Super Mario RPG
- January 2024: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (January Birthdays), Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet (until January 18), Super Mario Bros. Wonder (until January 8), The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (until February 15).
- January 1: WarioWare: Move It!
- January 2: Metroid Prime Remastered
- January 3: Fire Emblem Engage
- January 4: Detective Pikachu Returns
- January 5: Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
- January 6: Pikmin
- January 7: Super Mario RPG
- February 2024: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (February Birthdays), The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (until February 15), Mario vs. Donkey Kong Switch Remake (until February 29), Splatoon 3 Side Order (Until March 27), EarthBound Beginnings (until February 28)
- March 2024: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (March Birthdays)*, Super Mario World (Until April 1; part of Mario Day)*, Splatoon 3 (until March 27), Princess Peach: Showtime! (until April 18)
- April 2024: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (April Birthdays), Super Mario World (until April 1), Princess Peach: Showtime (until April 18)
- May 2024: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (May Birthdays)
- June 2024: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (June Birthdays)
- July 2024: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (July Birthdays)
- August 2024: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (August Birthdays)
- September 2024: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (September Birthdays)
- October 2024: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (October Birthdays)
- November 2024: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (November Birthdays)
- December 2024: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (December Birthdays)
*The player is required to play the game at least once to access the rewards, sometimes once per day.
Expansion Pack[]
An expanded paid add-on, it includes exclusive content such as access to Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, and Game Boy Advance games, and paid DLC for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Splatoon 2.
Pricing[]
The pricing for each region is displayed in the table below. The subscription can be paid using the eShop balance. The family plan will allow the user to pay for 8 accounts' access to Nintendo Switch Online, even across devices.
| Country | 1 month | 3 months | 1 year | Family | 1 year (With Expansion Pack) | Family (With Expansion Pack) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | $3.99 | $7.99 | $19.99 | $34.99 | $49.99 | $79.99 |
| Canada | $4.99 | $9.99 | $24.99 | $44.99 | $63.99 | $99.99 |
| Japan | ¥300 | ¥800 | ¥2400 | ¥4500 | ¥4900 | ¥8900 |
| Europe | 3.99€ | 7.99€ | 19.99€ | 34.99€ | 39,99 € | 69,99 € |
| UK | £3.49 | £6.99 | £17.99 | £31.49 | £34.99 | £59.99 |
| Australia | $5.95 | $11.95 | $29.95 | $54.99 | $59.95 | $109.95 |
| Chile | $3420 | $6850 | $17130 | $29980 | $42790 | $68490 |
Controllers[]
Nintendo Switch Online-themed controllers are available and made to mimic the original play style of each respective system included in the service. All are made wireless and chargeable, have LED lights, and additional small buttons. They can only be purchased online through Nintendo's website.
Updates[]
Phone App[]
On September 11, 2017, version 1.1.0 of the app was released. The update mainly fixed voice chat so that, it can used while the phone is multitasking and during sleep mode. On March 7, 2022, version 2.0.0 of the app was released. The update redesigned the user interface, added the ability to see when your friends are online, and allows you to view and copy/paste your friend code. On May 9, 2022, the 2.1.0 update gave the app the ability to switch between light and dark modes.
Servers[]
Nintendo upgraded to new server that all Switch online games will use going forward. The first game to use these new server was Monster Hunter Rise.
Auto-renewal changes[]
In April 2022, Nintendo announced that they would turn off auto-renewal charges for Nintendo Switch Online members.[2]
Reception[]
Reviews for the service have been mostly negative. Its affordable price compared to other online services has been generally praised, but its smartphone app, NES and SNES content library, the initially small selection of cloud save-supported games, and lack of dedicated servers have been criticized.
During the Nintendo Direct on September 23, 2021, the addition of Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games for Nintendo Switch Online, exclusive to an Expansion Pack, was revealed. During the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Direct on October 15, 2021, the price of the Expansion Pack was revealed, drawing widespread criticism. The same day, Nintendo uploaded a trailer to YouTube detailing the Expansion Pack, which was received negatively, with about 120,000 dislikes as of November 1, 2021, becoming the most disliked video on the channel. The Nintendo 64 games emulated via the Expansion Pack were found to have several performance issues, including input lag and frame rate issues. The fixed remapping of controls designed for the six-button Nintendo 64 controller to the four-button Switch Joy-Con also affected games like Sin & Punishment. Multiplayer games like Mario Kart 64 also appeared to use netcode that Nintendo had previously used in prior Virtual Console releases which forced the game to pause for other players until all players were synchronized. The games also did not support a virtual equivalent of the Controller Pak memory expansion, preventing players from utilizing ghost data in Mario Kart 64 or the native method of saving in WinBack. Informal tests found that the Nintendo Switch Online version of selected Nintendo 64 games performed worse than compared to the same games available on the Wii U's Virtual Console.
In its quarterly report to investors given in November 2021, Nintendo stated that they plan "to improve and expand both Nintendo Switch Online and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack striving to provide services that satisfy consumers."
Gallery[]
| Main article: Nintendo Switch Online/gallery |
References[]
External Links[]
| Nintendo Switch Online | |
|---|---|
| Games with Phone App service | Splatoon 2 • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe • ARMS • Mario Tennis Aces • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate • Animal Crossing: New Horizons • Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online |
| Exclusive games | Tetris 99 •Super Kirby Clash • F-ZERO 99 • Nintendo Entertainment System • Super Nintendo Entertainment System • Game Boy Defunct: Super Mario Bros. 35 • Pac-Man 99 |
| Expansion Pack | Nintendo 64 (Mature) • Sega Genesis • Game Boy Advance Happy Home Paradise • Booster Course Pass • Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion |