Update: Nintendo has updated the date to show “2018”
The Nintendo Switch Online service has been a long time coming, first being delayed from late 2017 to anytime in 2018. Regarding the paid service, new details have emerged that point to, but not confirm, an even later release date for the upcoming online service for Switch consoles. According to Nintendo’s Official website, the company will keep the online features of the console free, “until the paid Nintendo Switch Online Service launches in 2019.”
This is seemingly great for the short term of new Nintendo Switch adopters, as games like ARMS and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe can be played for free, but unfortunately brings up questions regarding other online services, such as the potential Virtual Console. The Switch Virtual Console is expected to launch alongside the NSO service, adding speculation that it will be available sooner.
This is all speculation so far, and hopefully Nintendo will announce something soon if this is the case. For full details regarding the service itself, check out this article we wrote earlier in the year, highlighting the costs and details of the potential service. Stay tuned for more details.
Caleb has been a gamer and Nintendo fan since picking up Pokémon Red for his Game Boy back in 1998, at the wee age of 4. He’s an avid Pokémon TCG collector, and is currently enjoying Breath of the Wild on Switch, along with PUBG on Xbox. He’s a fan of the outdoors when not writing, while also being an avid runner and world traveler. Give him a shout if you’re a fan of Arsenal FC.
Plays: Switch, 3DS, Xbox One, Pokémon TCG, and Various Board Games.