Nintendo has officially revealed its Nintendo Switch Online paid service for the hybrid console. With a September 2018 release date, the service includes features such as online play for games like Splatoon 2, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and the yet to be announced Super Smash Bros. game for the Switch that's going to debut at E3 2018. In addition to this, Nintendo touts cloud saves and access to games from its Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) console as other advantages of using the service.
Also, pricing seems to be inline with what was announced prior. A month's subscription for Nintendo Switch Online will cost US$3.99 (about Rs. 250), three months for $7.99 (about Rs. 500), and a full year for $19.99 (about Rs. 1,280). In Japan, the prices for those periods are JPY 300 (about Rs. 170), JPY 800 (about Rs. 460), and JPY 2,400 (about Rs. 1,380), respectively. There is a family plan as well, allowing up eight people to use Nintendo Switch Online for $34.99 for the year (about Rs. 2,350).
"Starting May 15, 2018, it will be possible to create a Nintendo Account Family Group via your Nintendo Account settings. Up to eight Nintendo Accounts (including child accounts) can be linked as a family group," the FAQ on Nintendo's site reads.
As for how to set up and use cloud saves, all Nintendo is saying at the moment is that "more details will be released soon."
It will be interesting to see how Nintendo Switch Online is when it hits. The lack of options for voice chat would mean hardcore Switch fans would have to resort to the likes of Discord while its low price point seems too good to be true. We won't be surprised to see Nintendo ramp up the costs attached to its service over time much like PS Plus and Xbox Live have. Furthermore, the site teases exclusive deals for Nintendo Switch Online members, what these entail are yet to be known though we won't be surprised to see these operate similar to added discounts on games for PS Plus and Xbox Live subscribers.
Considering that the Nintendo Switch is not available in India officially, it's safe to say that we won't see any local pricing or availability for the Nintendo Switch Online service either. So if you own a Nintendo Switch and are residing in India, you'd probably be restricted to online subscription codes for the service or Nintendo eShop credit via the likes of Amazon US.
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