It has been a little over a year since the release of the Nintendo Switch. Since that time, the library of games has grown and the sales of the console have exploded. Despite it not launching with a proper online service, Nintendo is now rectifying that with the introduction of the Switch Online service that goes live today.
As you might expect, a big part of the service is allowing you to play against your friends, no matter where they are located. Online Play will let you have fun with friends in games like Splatoon 2, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Mario Tennis Aces, and more. As an added perk of the service, you will be able to enjoy some of Nintendo"s classics like Super Mario Bros, River City Ransom, and Excitebike. There are currently 20 titles available with more to come in the near future.
The service will also give players access to cloud backups. Save Data Cloud, as Nintendo calls it, will automatically backup your game saves once you have an internet connection. Since the saves are linked to your account, you can access the saves from any Switch console just by logging in. This means that you"ll have peace of mind if you need to ever need to make use of a new system. But take note, not all titles make use of the service.
Those hoping for a complete solution with the new online service might find the following news a little disappointing. If you are going to chat with friends, you"ll still need to make use of Nintendo"s Switch Online app for iOS or Android. If all of that wasn"t enough, subscribers will also gain access to exclusive Nintendo merchandise. The service will start at just $3.99 a month for a single subscription, with three months, 12 months, and family plans being available.
If you aren"t quite sold on the idea, you can always sign up for a seven-day trial to evaluate. As stated before, the service is now live in the United States and will be available in the U.K. tomorrow.
Source: Nintendo