Is Nintendo Switch online free to play?
When the Nintendo Switch launched back in March 2017,Ā its Nintendo Online Play functionality was a key selling point.
HavingĀ fallen behind its rivals Sony and Microsoft with the disappointing launch of the Wii-U in 2012, NintendoĀ knew that they had to compete on all fronts to try and regain their position inĀ the video games market.
Part of this greater competition lay inĀ improving its online multiplayerĀ offeringĀ to try and keep up with those services enjoyedĀ byĀ PlayStation 4Ā or Xbox gamers.
CREDIT: WIKI COMMONS
However, unlike the services offered by those consoles, the Online Play function seemed to come at no additional charge. Those excited Nintendo fans whoĀ picked up a Switch as soon as it came out may have beenĀ delighted toĀ discover that they could enjoyĀ games such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Splatoon 2 in an online multiplayer mode without paying a penny.
That is, until a recent development.
Is Nintendo Switch OnlineĀ Play free?
The short answer is: it used to be free, but this is no longer the case.
As of the Nintendo 6.0.0 system update, the console’s online functionality became a paid subscription-based service. This came into effect on September 18.
#NintendoSwitch Online will launch in September 2018! pic.twitter.com/h3Rpeyymsx
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 1, 2018
It had always been Nintendo’s intention toĀ introduce a paid subscription for online gaming, but their initial target of 2017 was revised to 2018 in order to allow their developers more time to fully perfect the digital environment.
According to Nintendo’s President Tatsumi Kimishima, the pricing of the Online Play subscription was a careful consideration for the company’s chief decision makers: prioritising value for their customers.
A free seven-day trial is still available through the Nintendo eShop. After which, gamers have the choice of paying Ā£3.49 for a one-month subscription,Ā Ā£6.99 for a three-month subscription andĀ Ā£17.99 for the year.
A Family Membership is also on offer which costs Ā£31.49 and covers eight different accounts forĀ 12 months.
