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Why Paying for Among Us on the Switch Isn’t That Bad
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By Sharon Pruitt-Young Sharon Pruitt-Young Freelance Tech Reporter University of Missouri-St.Louis Sharon Pruitt-Young's work runs the gamut from introspective first-person essays to breaking news. During her years of working as a full-time freelancer, she has covered a range of topics, from true crime to breaking news, and has written for a variety of outlets. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 18, 2020 03:20PM EST Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Gaming Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming Key Takeaways
Nintendo is the first console that you can play Among Us on, but Xbox is soon to follow.Players will have to pay $5 to download the game and will also need a paid online membership.The differences in accessibility may not be worth it for casual players. Innersloth Among Us, one of the breakout mobile and PC hits of 2020, is finally available to play on the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite. Fans may not have expected the caveat that this previously free game now has a $5 price tag, though it might not be as big a deal as it seems. Nintendo made the announcement on December 15, the same day it was made available, as part of the Indie World Showcase, a day-long event during which Nintendo announced numerous independently-developed games coming soon to the platform. Even more exciting, the game’s Twitter bio promises that it’ll soon be available on the Xbox as well. "It just might be the best way to play," Luis Levy, author and co-founder of Novy Unlimited, a game-focused PR and marketing agency, told Lifewire in a social media conversation. "You get to use a gamepad and a touchscreen. Pricing is the same as Steam. You still need to pay Nintendo for Nintendo Online, but it's fairly affordable. Lastly, it's going to look and sound great on the Switch!" Ideal Group Game
It’s not hard to see why Nintendo would see the appeal of adding Among Us to their lineup. The concept is fairly simple: players are (frankly adorable) crew members aboard a spaceship who are trying to go about their business, but an alien imposter who looks like a regular crew member is secretly killing off other players and sabotaging the ship. It’s up to the rest of the crew to guess who the imposter is before everyone is dead, while the imposter is tasked with killing crewmates and disrupting the ship while escaping suspicion. Innersloth With room for up to ten players, it’s a perfect party game, one that’s accessible for new players, but promises enough unique experiences that there’s plenty for seasoned gamers to enjoy. Even though there’s no talking allowed during most of the game, once a body is reported, crew members have a limited amount of time to finally talk, via a chat room, about who they think the imposter is before casting their votes and kicking one crewmate into space. It’s a mainstay for Twitch streamers and YouTubers alike, even attracting the attention of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who live-streamed herself playing the game earlier this year in a bid to encourage young people to vote. A Mixed Bag
Those who were hoping for a similar experience to playing the mobile game may be in for a tad bit of disappointment. Although Among Us is free to download and play on your phone, the Switch version comes with a $5 price tag. Additionally, in order to actually play with other people, you’ll need a Nintendo Online membership, with pricing that starts at $3.99 a month or $19.99 a year. While the cost isn’t too steep, it still begs the question of why Nintendo slapped a price tag on at all, when similar multiplayer games—think Fortnite and Dauntless—are free to play. Another huge drawback is one that affects gameplay: a big part of the fun is talking to other players before casting your vote for imposter, and while typing on your phone may be easy, navigating an on-screen keyboard with your joy cons or even a standard controller is a different ball game, one that isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world, if still largely doable. It’s also worth noting that it can be avoided altogether by using the Switch’s touch-screen keyboard in handheld mode. On the flip side, there’s still plenty to get excited about, and the usual features are all present and accounted for. Players have the option of choosing between private, invite-only games with friends or braving the wilds of the internet via public games. You also have the ability to host your own games and set whatever parameters you want, like the number of imposters per game. Among Us on the Switch also supports crossplay, meaning players using a phone, PC, or Switch will all be able to play together. However, paying $5 and a monthly membership fee to access a game that’s free and easier to play on your phone? Sounds "sus" to me, but as some—like @KrangKotobuki on Twitter—have pointed out, $5 is a comparatively small price to pay to support small game companies. Still, while there are obvious advantages to playing on your Switch—no irksome advertisements—the investment, however minor, might not be worth it for those who don’t already have a Switch Online membership. For casual players especially, sticking to your phone is still probably your best bet—even if there are unexpected advantages for Switch users, like accidentally getting to access a new map before everyone else. 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 Play Among Us Online How to Play Tetris 99 on Nintendo Switch How to Have No Name in Among Us How to Download and Play Fortnite on Nintendo Switch How to Set up and Use a Nintendo Switch Microphone How to Cancel Nintendo Switch Online YouTube Music vs. Spotify: Which Service Better Fits Your Music Needs? 4 Streaming Apps Available on Switch The 12 Best Fun Online Games to Play in 2022 The 8 Best Current Gaming Consoles of 2022 by Lifewire Nintendo Switch Review: The Best Portable Gaming Console Nintendo Switch OLED: Price, Release, Specs & Games How to Connect PS4 or Xbox Controllers to Switch Can You Play Animal Crossing on a Nintendo Switch Lite? How to Use Nintendo Switch With a Keyboard and Mouse Why Aren't Game Boy Advance Games on Virtual Console? 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