Nintendo Switch Online Delayed to 2018, Will Cost $20 USD Per Year

Nintendo announced new details for the Nintendo Switch online service, Switch Online, including the fact the service has been delayed until 2018.

Ever since the Nintendo Switch was released, Nintendo has been advertising new Nintendo online subscription service. From the moment the day one patch was downloaded, owners were told that it will be launched fully in autumn 2017.

However, it has now emerged that the paid online service promised by the Japanese gaming giant has been delayed until next year.

According to a new report from The Verge, the online service for the Nintendo Switch can be paid for in three ways. Online for Switch will cost $20 USD a year, $4 for a one-month subscription, or $8 for a three-month long subscription plan.

However, Nintendo also announced that playing Switch games online would be free until the payment model actually launches, which currently isn’t scheduled until some time in 2018. This means that players can take full advantage of the online functionality in games like Splatoon 2, which launches in July 2017, before having to pay for the online features next year.

“You’ll be able to play compatible co-op and competitive games online by signing in with your Nintendo Account. Online play will be free for Nintendo account holders until our paid online service launches in 2018,” the company states.

As well as providing special eShop discounts, voice chat via a smartphone app, Switch Online Service grants members access to a collection of Classic Game Selections remixed with online features. Nintendo highlighted Super Mario Bros. 3, Balloon Fight and Dr. Mario as examples.

The Nintendo Switch has remained low in stock and hard to find, but Amazon.ca has periodic stock for Prime members (1 is showing in stock at $399.99 sold by Amazon as of writing).

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