AccessorieseShopNintendoNintendo Switch OnlinescreencapsSwitchTrailers

Nintendo Switch Online: more details, promo video, list of games, NES controller, more

During and following the latest Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo shared more details about its upcoming Nintendo Switch Online paid service, launching next week worldwide. First, here’s a promo video detailing the service:

Online play

As you already know, the service allows you to play online in various games (basically, all games with online features). There are exceptions, but Nintendo doesn’t list them on the official website. You can also chat online in compatible games, via the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app:

  • Splatoon 2
  • ARMS (coming soon)
  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (coming soon)
  • Mario Tennis Aces (coming soon)
  • Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online (all games)
  • and more to be added in the future…

Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online is the full name of the service that allows you to play various NES games on Nintendo Switch, with newly added online play. As mentioned before, 20 games will be available at launch:

  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Donkey Kong
  • Mario Bros.
  • Super Mario Bros.
  • Balloon Fight
  • Ice Climber
  • Dr. Mario
  • The Legend of Zelda
  • Super Mario Bros. 3
  • Double Dragon
  • River City Ransom
  • Ghosts’n Goblins
  • Tecmo Bowl
  • Gradius
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Excitebike
  • Yoshi
  • Ice Hockey
  • Baseball

After launch, more games will be added on a monthly basis:

October

  • Solomon’s Key
  • NES Open Tournament Golf
  • Super Dodge Ball

November

  • Metroid
  • Mighty Bomb Jack
  • TwinBee

December

  • Wario’s Woods
  • Ninja Gaiden
  • ADVENTURES OF LOLO

Just like Virtual Console titles, you can play, save, and jump back into the action whenever you want. You can play using a single Joy-Con, which means that with just one console, two players can play without the need of any additional accessories or controllers.

All games are playable online: either in co-op or competitive play (games with multiplayer), or in Single Player (you take turns at the controls). When playing with a friend, you can display a hand-shaped cursor on your friend’s screen to give hints or point out strategic locations. Even better: you can clap to congratulate them. Of course, you can also do that via voice chat, using the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app.

Save Data Cloub backup

Using Save Data Cloub backup, you can back up your game save data to the cloud, though only with compatible games (for example, Splatoon 2 and 1-2-Switch are not compatible). That way, if you get a new console (because you lost, broke, or simply upgraded from the old one), you will be able to transfer your save data and not lose access to it.

Don’t worry about backing up the data manually all the time: the data is backed up automatically, as long as you are connected to the internet. There’s no settings to bother with, or updates to download (other than Ver. 6.0.0, obviously)..

To move your save data, all you need to do is sign in to your Nintendo Account on your new console, and voilà: data is downloaded, and you’re good to go.

Unfortunately, Nintendo does not specify how long the backed up save data stays on the servers if you end or do not renew your subscription.

Smartphone app

The smartphone app allows you to do the following:

  • use voice chats in compatible games (see above for the current list)
  • use game-specific services, like SplatNet 2 for Splatoon 2.

Special offers

Your Nintendo Switch Online subscription will allow you to enjoy various special offers, and it turns out they’re not necessarily bonus discounts on games as we initially thought. Indeed, some of the special offers can be exclusive items available for purchase, and even some freebies.

Here’s two offers that have been revealed:

  • Nintendo Entertainment System Controllers (Europe, North America) / Family Computer Entertaionment System Controllers (Japan). Special controllers designed to play NES games. They cost $59.99, and they come in pairs. They include a rechargeable battery, and you can attach them to the Nintendo Switch to recharge them. Pre-orders go live on September 18th/19th (when the service goes live), and shipments will begin in mid-December. You can only purchase one per Nintendo Account (subscription required, obviously), and the offer is not available if you’re using the trial membership.
  • Splatoon 2: download code for exclusive gear (Online Jersey and Online Squidkid V Shoes). If you subscribe either to a 12-month membership (individual or family), you will get the download code. It will be sent via email to the address associated with your Nintendo Account starting in Early October. Family memberships get up to 8 download codes (one for each user).

FAQ

You can find the FAQ on this page!

Lite_Agent

Founder and main writer for Perfectly Nintendo. Tried really hard to find something funny and witty to put here, but had to admit defeat.