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Nintendo Switch Online: What It Is and How to Play
The popular handheld gaming device is fully online. It's time to play!
By Tyler Hayes Tyler Hayes Writer Tyler Hayes is a former Lifewire writer covering Apple, Google, Spotify, and more. Tyler has written for Fast Company, Digital Trends, and Paste, and others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 7, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Gaming Services Consoles & PCs Gaming Services Game Play & Streaming Mobile Gaming Nintendo has some of the best video games out there, but its online service to connect players used to be lacking. The good news is that this changed with the release of the Nintendo Switch Online service. Here’s the low-down on everything you need to know to keep those competitive races going and have everything saved in the cloud. What Is Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online is Nintendo’s aptly named service for its Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch (OLED model) gaming consoles, which enables internet features. It’s comparable to Microsoft’s Xbox Network service or Sony’s PlayStation Network. Nintendo's online service isn't required by default to use the Switch; only if you want to play games online and against other people, or if you want access to its other advertised benefits. What Features Are Included with Nintendo Switch Online
There are a decent amount of benefits that come with paying for the Nintendo Switch Online service: Online play: This includes internet multiplayer for games like Splatoon 2, ARMS, Mario Kart, Mario Tennis Aces, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.Classic Nintendo games: The Nintendo Entertainment System on Switch allows access to classic Nintendo games like Super Mario Bros, Dr. Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda, and more. It launched with 20 games available to play and new games will be added regularly. Nintendo Online saved data: Save your game data to the cloud. It’s backed up in case you lose or break your Switch and can be restored to a new one in the future.Enhanced phone app: Nintendo’s enhanced mobile app will allow you to voice chat while playing games online, something that wasn’t possible previously. Nintendo In addition to these tentpole features, the company is offering special, ongoing promotions that will be available only to paying subscribers. The first example of this was access to buy classic wireless NES game controllers. How Much Does Nintendo' s Online Service Cost
Up until September 2018, basic online play for the few games that supported the service was free. After the debut of Switch Online, paid subscriptions were required. The good news is it's competitively priced when compared to both Microsoft and Sony's online services. Individual Plan Rates
1 Month: $3.993 Months: $7.9912 Months: $19.99 Family Plan Rate
12 Months: $34.99 Nintendo offers a 7-day free trial if you'd like to ensure this is right for you. How to Sign up for Nintendo Switch Online
If you’re ready to take the plunge and buy a membership, you can sign up on the Nintendo Switch Online website. Sign in to your Nintendo Account, or create one if you don't have one yet. You can buy credits and games through Nintendo's online store using a credit card, PayPal, or eShop gift card. Besides purchasing credits directly through Nintendo's eShop, you can also buy gift cards on Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Cancel Nintendo Switch Online How to Transfer Save Data Between Users on the Switch Can I Play Nintendo 3DS Games on the Wii U? Nintendo Switch Review: The Best Portable Gaming Console How to Connect the Nintendo Switch to Your Laptop How to Download and Play Fortnite on Nintendo Switch How to Set up and Use a Nintendo Switch Microphone How to Fix It When Nintendo Switch Won't Connect to Wi-Fi Nintendo Switch vs. Nintendo Switch Lite: Which Gaming Console Is Best? How to Use Nintendo Switch With a Keyboard and Mouse What Is PlayStation Plus? The 10 Best Nintendo Switch Kids' Games, Tested by Lifewire The 8 Best NES Emulators for Android in 2022 How to Play Tetris 99 on Nintendo Switch Can You Play Animal Crossing on a Nintendo Switch Lite? How to Set Up the Nintendo Switch Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies