Nintendo Switch to Introduce Paid Online Service in Autumn / Fall

Unfortunate. But realistic.

Cue fanboy meltdown.

This was the deal breaker for me. 100% dropped, definitely just sticking with my PC now

Bummer...

Free online was one of the few benefits of the Wii U.

Nintendo done goofed.

I'm sad, really sad...I'll never be able to try splatoon =/

Not surprised by that actually. It sucks, but maybe the online service will be better. I never had much of a problem playing Mario Kart 8 online, but when it came to Smash some of those matches were pretty laggy.

Now online Nintendo games will be even more dead :/ Well done Nintendo...

Nnnnnnoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

Sucks big time.
Just make sure the experience is worth it Nintendo!

I guess we can still forget playing Dragon Quest X. They announced it again for Japan. No word on rest of the world.

If they do that at good price with free games in offer then why not. Otherwise it's a disappointment. Nintendo was unique with their free-of-charge online policy.

other than maybe smash bros and chancy fire emblem warriors not too much so far, bettter be under $60 a year with some perks.

I believe Nintendo is making a smart move, this is something I don't mind paying for. Now let's real in third-party online gaming along with Nintendo IP online gaming and this company will explode in the hardcore gaming community. Thank you Nintendo.

Really surprised this didn't happen until now, always wondered how Nintendo managed to offer free online services without losing too much money in the process. Doubt it'll be more than $50-55/yr, even still, not that much considering that's less than $5/month.

I guess I'll only be playing single player/local multiplayer games

I knew I had to adapt to paying for online connectivity at some point. May as well start with the Switch.

Not going to support this BS.

Really? Everyone is whining? It seems common sense nintendo joins the rest in paid services, and personally I don't mind. If its a good system that is. Free on Wii U was nice but it handled very clunky(different for every game).

@cheonsacz
Not so, PC is free as well.

This is probably wishful thinking but it would be nice to get a free Virtual Console game every month with the subscription. That would put them on similar terms as Sony and Microsoft.

Hmmm... getting greedier

Those leaving because of a subscription , too bad. They resisted for years. It's only fair that they try to recoup the costs of maintenance , the cost of the actual servers, the startup costs for the development of the switch network. Future costs and why can't they make a buck or 2 so they can finance new games with it. Gawd forbid they make us happy with that.

Paying for online services with no voice chat can be a deal breaker for many if Nintendo maintains their position on that feature.

They are way behind MS and Sony when it comes to online features. I will hold my peace until the cost and presentation is revealed but it must be worth it or I am not paying. Simple. I am a fanboy but not a blind one.

I'm gonna have to hear about the cost before I decide on whether to pay or not.

This is so disappointing. Feking shareholders!

Sorry Nintendo, but if the choice comes down to paying for Xbox Live or Nintendo Network I'll have to pick Xbox Live.

Maybe if you get some major third-party titles we'll talk.

But as much as I love Smash Bros, the Xbox has more online games that I play.

I'm more disappointed by the lack of launch games. Absolutely baffled by that decision to only show off Zelda as a day 1 sale and no concrete dates for other titles.

They better learn how to recreate much of what Sony and Microsoft offer then.

Probably to help maintain the servers. They can't run on gamer's happiness, y'know.

Yeah it sucks, but I don't think Nintendo could offer free online gaming for much longer.

I just hope they also offer a free games a month program like XBox Gold/PS+. Don't be greedy Nintendo, give us free games for our subs.

Welp this is what got mii feeling meh about the switch, the online would need to be great, and needs to be a good price unless they are offering free games, but if I known any better, I would of known somewhere like My Nintendo is offering a 30% discount for a $5 game that's over 20 years old for 30 gold coins...

Literally the only bad news in the whole presentation for me, I love to play online, but not consistently enough for a paid service (assuming it will cost like the competition).
Althought they mentioned a ton of stuffs, like chat and more, by smartdevices, so I'm holding to the thin hope that the basic multiplayer experience will still be avaiable for free.

EDIT: Well, at least Nintendo was kind enough to crush my thin hope soon by better defining the service on their page >.>;

Depending on what they charge I'll probably be getting my multiplayer action either offline or on my PC. Realistically though, the only game I've really played online on Nintendo hardware in the last couple years was Splatoon. As sad as I am to say it, I'd be willing to pass on Splatoon 2 and focus more on the single player focused games.

If it means I get voice chat and party lobby in monster hunter then I'm in.

I know why this is required, so thank you Nintendo for holding out as long as you did. I guess I have to start subscribing now.

We don't know about the detail of their online services yet. They are going to do this eventually, and they need to recoup the losses they made during the last 2 years.

I hate how some people here prematurely jump into the conclusion that "this is bs, nintendo is doomed". But of course, prematurity comes from Nintendo Life users.

The main negative about this is that those not sure about the Switch will now delay their purchase until Autumn or until more details come to light.

Fanbs will buy it outright at launch, of course. I think this is a barrier for the undecided millions who may have bought it earlier.

Worse announcement of the entire show.
Nintendo's online services are poop AT BEST, and now they'll charge for it?

im happy to pay as long as it means we will get an excellent online like the Xbox1 and psn (except for maybe SFV)
mario kart 8 online was great, i would sometimes drop out of Splatoon games and Smash was pretty much unplayable.

Sure I did expect it for the most part but I don't feel comfortable with paying for two separate online services and unless there have been drastic improvements and they start rewarding gamers with freebies every month then I will likely stick to paying just for Xbox Live.

Fine by me. If we get monthly free games like on the other consoles. A free virtual console game every month? I'd be fine with paying for online if that were to be happen.

If it means better servers then who cares. PC and Console are two different deals when it comes to online so it's not surprising that we are being charged. Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony have to pay to maintain servers and this is how they will do it. I don't know why anybody here is surprised.

@ThomasBW84 you also get a SNES/NES game that you can play for a month, as well as be entitled to potential discounts or offers.

http://www.nintendo.com/switch/online-service/

EDIT: Apparently there will be online NES/SNES multiplayer. though they didn't specify if it's all games, or just those that are handed out. it may be a developmental thing on a case by case basis.

A potential deal breaker... unless, of course, Nintendo goes out of their way and give that one "Games with Gold" thing Xbox has done for a while now a well-deserved whirl.
Once they figure out it works, well... Nintendo is in for a surprise. A surprise made of what Nintendo consoles haven't seen in a while - sales.

Online their website says you'll get a free retro game each month with the subscription

If they give "free" games with Subscription + cloud saves and price isn't too high then it's good thing.

@NIN10DOXD The Switch website says: "Subscribers will get to download and play a Nintendo Entertainment System™ (NES) or Super Nintendo Entertainment System™ (Super NES) game (with newly-added online play) for free for a month." Wait... does this mean they're adding online multiplayer for NES and SNES games!?

I guess the only people that are complaining are either students who have not much money, and people who do not get paid enough... I mean, if you have a not-so-bad job, then paying 50-60 USD annually should not be a problem... It's the same price of buying a brand new game!

@IxnayontheCK , We already own the all from Wii, WiiU and NES mini. No more retro!

Not sure how to feel about this. On one hand, it sucks, but on the other Wii U's online is terrible compared to PS4 and X1, I personally don't pay for either of those, but I might have to for Switch for Mario Kart, Smash and Splatoon.

@Captain_Gonru
I'm also worried about that mobile app thing. I can see it necessary when console is connected to TV, but hopefully party chat works in handheld mode when you can connect headphones to console.

@Spike6958 You know... Maybe the Wii U experience was terrible because... they had limited budget for servers...

From nintendo homepage

Online lobby and voice chat

Our new dedicated smart device app will connect to Nintendo Switch and let you invite friends to play online, set play appointments, and chat with friends during online matches in compatible games─all from your smart device.

A free, limited version of this app will be available for download in summer 2017.

Exclusive deals

Special offers for subscribers may include discounts on select digital games and content

Monthly game download

Subscribers will get to download and play a Nintendo Entertainment System™ (NES) or Super Nintendo Entertainment System™ (Super NES) game (with newly-added online play) for free for a month.

Understandable considering the competition is doing it and it's a whole lot of money

I bet it is some tie-in with MyNintendo for some kind of subscription plan where we basically RENT or lease VC games. Knowing Nintendo they would charge rent on ones we've already bought several times over.

Who knows.....yet.

@3Daniel Going into the presentation I was very optimistic, but coming out I had the same concerns. The launch lineup seems sparce with only Zelda (very surprised and pleased by this) and 1 2 Switch, with ARMS shortly after. Nothing else was confirmed. I would imagine Skryim could likely be a day one release, but it wasn't confirmed. If Mario Kart, Smash, Mario Maker or any other title were to be a launch release I imagine they would have shown them. Still we are only seven weeks from launch (crazy) and while a lot of great stuff is on the horizon, launch looks to be sparse which is concerning for adoption rates. Still I suppose they may show more tomorrow morning or the weeks to come. I still plan to grab a preorder if possible, but the launch quantity looks to be thin as no one is offering preorders yet with less than two months to go.

Upgraded online services plus free Virtual Console games with new online gameplay. I'd definitely pay for that!

I won't mind as long we will get better online experience ... but they have to give us good discount on games and free 2 free titles for switch / 2 for 3ds and 2 for wiiU every month ... but I doubt Nintendo will do like Xbox and PS ... we all know how greedy is Nintendo specially with 15% or 1$ off discounts if you know what I mean. ... we already saw all these horrible offers on my Nintendo and e shop

Paying actually is a great sign that they are getting with the times and will have high-quality services. It bodes well for VC too.

Pay for the game. Pay for Internet access. And pay the company to play the game online. Nopers. I get that it has to be supported somehow, but that's not my bag. And if I'm not mistaken, Microsoft's free game service, while certainly not something they have to offer, is contingent on maintaining the paid service. Too many hoops for me.

That, and teenage boys hurling racist and sexist epithets. No thanks. Hopefully, Nintendo gamers will stay above that, but I guess I'm not going to find out.

Looks like single player or local coop. At least complete strangers won't see how lousy a gamer I am.

@Captain_Gonru My very thoughts exactly.

@BakaKnight Unfortunately if PS4 & XBone are anything to go by, the eShop won't even be accessible without a subscription. Hopefully the @$$#0&3$ won't make 3DS and Wii U servers paid because as far as I'm concerned that would be a breach of their own ToS. At the very least let us Wii U & 3DS owners have free access to the eShop and all of our previous purchases...

@shaneoh Ah yeah, right. I totally forgot must be because I don't play games on PC. I only used to play Syberia (offline) and World of Warcraft, but I paid monthly susbcription for that one. Thanks for correcting me

@ProfessorToad I think a paid system is for the best. I mean look at the great things it has done for PSN and XBox Live. Sony started offering some free titles each month and Xbox Live followed suit shortly after. It's only a matter of time before Nintendo would likely do something similar with VC titles.
I think a paid system benefits in several ways including offering a more robust back end network for gaming. Nintendo's network has always been free but seems to have connection issues and dropping frequently. A paid model could help pay the costs needed for an infrastructure upgrade. It's sad as even the late Iwata-san pledged to keep it free, but perhaps some services will be free and or the service as a whole very cheap. I mean look at Pokemon Bank with it's $5/year model. Any other service would likely be $20 or more for the same, so I think there is still hope Nintendo may offer an inexpensive service when it becomes a paid system.

@peeks I think this is a given at least with some time. It worked well for Sony and Microsoft started offering the same thing.

This is great - it will allow a better quality of service!

Well lets put it this way, online was free... you got crap. Online becomes good... you pay. It's not a coincidence. None of the online services you receive are free & unlike most apps, Nintendo stop getting your money after you bought the game.

I think this is a good sign that Online will be a LOT more functional. Plus they're partnered with a company that is known for Online.

@DanteSolablood Well tbh PSN still runs like poop at times even after the recent PS+ rate-hike.

@Plucky Wait, Nintendo is going to let me have Super Mario Bros or World for a whole month? Wow, what a generous company!

Fine, I can accept paying for online play, and I know no company has to give you free games for being a paid member, but you can keep games that you get with Xbox Live Gold and Playstation Plus for as long as you own the service.

And these are a mix of major, minor, indie, and retro titles. I can still play Assassin's Creed II on my Xbox One that was still offered for free years ago when I was a live member on the 360, but I lose NES and SNES games after a month?

Who runs Nintendo's online department?

@Rukiafan7 That's quite the hyperbole, no online store is based on Subscription, indeed on PS4 the PlaystationStore is the only online service I have access to since it's free XD

@Rukiafan7 Must admit I stopped playing my PS3 a while ago. Apart from leaking everyone's personal data, it always ran fine for me.

@3MonthBeef Double standards? I only popped in for the meltdowns...

Online services better be better!

@BakaKnight Why does it say that PS+ is required to access the Playstation Store on PS4 on the PS+ cards themselves?! >:/

@Rukiafan7 It does? O.O
Wow, if they say so then they really want to sell those PS+ if they even lie for sell them XD
But I really have no idea why the cards say that, I just know that I never paid for the PLUS service and yet I can purchase and download games just fine.

Please tell me this won't affect the GTS and Battle Spot in Pokemon 😭

If they are going to charge money now then they are under the gun. No obtuse friend system, voice chat everywhere (which I hate and would want system wife disabling of, but still must be there), free games monthly, real discounts for having a membership, all of these things are no longer for Nintendo to provide to us.

And it had better be there day one, so we get addicted to it all before the trial period expires and we absolutely love it and are ok with paying for it.

Yikes...But, you know what? I'll bite ONLY if the the price is fair.

@cheonsacz
Heh, at this rate we'll have to start paying a general subscription fees for both the console and the games.
It's a silly system really, once the service ends, no more online. I'd prefer to host my own servers.

Well that's a disappointment. I like playing smash and MARIO kart free.

@shaneoh True and sad. That's why I hope for some worthy free titles, preferably offline ones that won't require online activity. If they want us to pay for the game and for playing online as well at least give us something in return :3

@Gooberfish Better enjoy it til it lasts. I worry the "paid service" will be brought over 3DS/Wii U as well :-/

Well looks like with Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony making you pay to play online, I won't ever be playing online again.
Wonder how long Wii U servers for Smash and Mario Kart will stay up because that's really all I've played online this generation (well, mostly Smash, hardly play Mario Kart 8 these days).

@cheonsacz
Yeah they need to do that, but it also needs to be worthwhile. If you let your PS+ subscription lapse, you lose all the games you acquired from it.

I'm very disappointed by this.

I wonder if the free NES/SNES games will be "permantly owned" like how xbox does there free 360 games or if it'll be like PS+ and only let you "own" it if you have a current subsription.

If the price is not too crazy and provides a better online experience then I have no problem paying for it.

@shaneoh Really? I don't own a PS4 (my sister does though, but I rarely play on it even though she lives just right across the street lol XD) or any other Sony product so I had no idea about this. I always thought when they give you something for free it means it's yours... forever. This sounds more like borrowing for limited time.

Looking at their website, I kinda wish there's a free version of online gameplay and just lock the other fluff like the lobby, voice chat, exclusive deals for non-subscribers. But if the price is cheap, like $10-$30 USD for 1 year, I'm fine with it.

@cheonsacz
Yeah, that's exactly what it is

"You wanted Nintendo to get on with the times, right?" - Mon K. Paw.

It's all about price and offer, though. I've already said more than once that I'dbe willing to pay for a save file cloud, so if it's part of the package like in PS Plus, shut up and take my money. And then that's not the only thing they could pick from PS Plus experience.

As someone who somehow, for reasons which are completely unknown to me now, managed to play over 300 hours of 007 Legends on Wii U, you would have to be certifiably insane to pay Nintendo money for online play on their systems. They don't grasp even the most basic elements of online gaming like voice chat, seeing how many players are using a game, and on-screen message notifications.

I can't even fathom what games beyond Smash, Splatoon, and Mario Kart would have enough players to justify paying Nintendo money to play them online.

And no free games with it. I bet online services will not become better. Nintendo just cant do it. Hell, something wrong with this guys. May be they allow ass to add more than 100 friends at least?

It was inevitable that this would happen eventually. However, Nintendo had better have a vastly improved online system to justify the cost.

@eeyore Don't be so blue, there will be free NES and SNES games that will likely be worth more than the monthly cost of Switch Network.

@MadAdam81 it looks live they will give you 20 y/o games for only month, and than replace them with other ones. Without adding to you library. And what about library? Buying everything again? No linking to account?
I fell like Nintendo try to copy other companies moves and obviously doing it wrong.

I don't mind a fee as long as we're getting a good service so before I get too upset about it I wait to see how much they plan on charging and exactly what we get for our money.

If its only a few pounds per month and we get free games like on PSN then I have no issue with it

I'm not paying for PS Plus and Nintendo online. And Nintendo will not win out of the two.

Nintendo: you can't isolate yourself from the rest of the gaming world and then expect to be able to charge for online.

"Beginning with free access… we have removed one of the major barriers that have kept people from going online to play games.”
—Reggie Fils-Aime

RIP online play. Nintendo just killed all the smaller games with across-the-globe multiplayer. As if having dead Wii U and 3DS games wasn't enough.

I'll never buy a game with online support from Nintendo again.

Preordered a Switch from Amazon. The system and a game or two will break me. I can't afford another subscription service. I may cancel my order. The games I want to play.are mostly multiplayer with online play. I have some time to think about it, but holding off on pricing pissed me off. If I get the system and find out in the fall they think they have robust enough online to go toe to toe with the big boys... who offer free games as well... and price the same, I'm done.

Disappointing, but I rarely actually play online (splatoon being the only real thing in the last couple of years). Depends on pricing I guess

Oh, that's cool, now I won't have to waste any money on the Switch

Ugh, I hate it.

But since I like using online features from time to time, depending on the pricing I may cough up the dough. Or I'll just wait for the suscription cards, like Xbox's, to go on discount.

Xbox's live suscription, at least here, is on discount at least once a month.

I'm not into online that much so this doesn't affect me, portability and local play are usually my cup of tea but I can see why many core gamers will be piss by this.

Missing a trick here free multiplayer would've set this apart from the competition.

This is not good for casual online players. It is not worth it to spend $50 to play online 8 times a year. They should have a free quota, otherwise they only position online play to hardcore online gamers which is unlike normal Nintendo.

People wanted this marketed towards the core gamer, and now they're all complaining that there's paid online. Guys, if you want a serious gaming system, stuff like this is gonna happen. This isn't the Wii.

@Megas yes but I've completed that with over 2000 hrs I now want a new monster hunter

It wasn't okay when the Xbox did it, it wasn't okay when the PS4 did it, and it's certainly not okay when the switch does it, either.

All I can do is implore people to not support these money-grubbing practices. If you want your online fix on a modern system, I would suggest sticking to PC and mobile. Where the services are free and likely always will be, since they're not closed platforms capable of holding features hostage, and the features in question cannot justify being a paid service.

What a nice surprise, lots of people will finally get what they were crying for.
If the console features a wide enough palet of RPGs and other platforms games (in other words, non-multiplayer heavy ones), I'll be get this console... later, when its european price will not be 75euros above the japanese one anymore. (I can understand that the USA and us pay more, but why does Europa pay EVEN MORE than the US?)

@Basilgarrad Aha, we might as well go back to playing Pokémon in the GB era way. (at least, that will be my way, if I ever came to buy this thing)

Not surprised. But it was the logical thing to do.

I won't be paying 60 dollars to play Splatoon and Mario Kart online. As fun as they are, it isn't worth another 60 bucks a year on top of my PS Plus subscription. Maybe if it was 30 to 40 dollars I would consider it. They need to announce pricing asap.

Well, that sorta clinches my decision not to buy a Switch. I don't really have the money to invest in new hardware and a bunch of games so the Wii U will be my last Nintendo. Sad...

I get it, I really do; but Nintendo will need to improve greatly upon what they've had in the past if they're going to now charge for the service. If they charge around $60 per yer, and give us basically what we have now, it will be a big mistake. Both Live and Plus offer free games every month....start here Nintendo.

@NinjaWaddleDee Yeah right! Look how long it took them to release the specs, details, and prices for the Switch. They'll announce the price this fall probably!

@Rocossa me too and it is sad, i just don't like paying for internet bill then the online sub to enjoy a game i already paid for

Wel that sure is a mistake. I'll be holding off on the Switch until they backpedal on that stupid decision.

Won't affect me as console multiplayer is rubbish compared to PC multiplayer so I don't bother with it, but I hope this paid service is an improvement over the lag and disconnects you'd get with Smash Bros and Mario Kart on the WiiU.

@dkxcalibur That doesn't sound unlikely to me. It IS nintendo we are talking about. It looks like I probably won't be purchasing Splatoon 2, unless it has significant single player features.

@kotag Just get it on Wii U, Splatoon with free online as it should

@NinjaWaddleDee At least you'll be able to enjoy Splatoon until the service kicks in though. It does make me mad that we'll all go out and buy their system with probably no knowledge of how the service will work until after we make our purchases.

@Megal0maniac ....until they close the servers, then that game will be almost worthless.

@dkxcalibur If I had a party noise maker I would blow it sarcastically right now.

Whaaaaaaaat?! If anything, the others should stop limiting online play, not Nintendo following their lead... oh man, I'm excited by the new games, but at the same time, the "new" Nintendo is more and more showing its true face: It's only about making money now, nothing else matters anymore.
It's a shame to see the downfall of such a unique company into becoming a normal and average company, just like the rest.

@dkxcalibur I'll pick it up with Mario, that game looks amazing. At least by then they might have more systems in stock. I guarantee you that anyone who didn't pre order today won't be getting a Switch for a while.

@remlapgamer really, you don't mind paying for nothing?
Or let me rephrase: You don't mind paying twice? Paying for something you already paid for?
Just imagine buying gas for your car at the gas station.
Then you sit in your car but you can't drive it unless you pay again for the gas, which you already paid for (and the car manufacturer did'nt produce the gas, they're just ripping you off with no reason).

@KirbyTheVampire Lol are you serious? You're probably just joking and I didn't get the irony in your post (I hope so).
If not: You seem to have a weird definition of core game. Since when does accepting to get ripped off mean you're a core gamer?
Paying for something doesn't make it 'serious' or anything. Actually, paying extra for something doesn't even equal higher quality, quite the contrary.
If you want a serious gaming system, there is only option: you have to play on PC. PS4 and XB1 are actually way more casual (CoD, Destiny and all the othjer crap) than anything else. They're made so that it's especially easy to play games on them, you don't get confronted with innovation or complex control schemes, you only get the foolproof standard treatment. And you have to be a fool to accept getting ripped off by paying double for online gaming.
The Wii U in contrast was a pure core gamer console, because playing on a dual screen is way more complex and challenging and as everyone could see, it repelled the casual gamers.
It's a widespread misconception that the Wii was a casual console, too. In addition to core gamers, it was ALSO marketed towards casual gamers. It just found a way to add new (in many cases casual) gamers, but it never gave up on core gaming. There were way too many core games on it to call it a casual gaming console.
Mobile and browser gaming is a classic example of casual gaming though.

Really disappointing if the monthly game is just a "loan." Hope this brings achievements!

I have important news: the monthly game won't really be free, after a month, you won't be able to play it unless you buy it:

https://twitter.com/kobunheat/status/819957925976350720

@shani
well first of all the reason I believe that it is okay that we pay for this service is because the servers don't run themselves secondly I'm more willing to bet that Nintendo will also provide games in a similar fashion Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus members receive on a monthly basis. Nintendohas been standing on the sidelines of online gaming since it's been in existence this is a major step in the right direction to be competitors and possibly provide an excellent online experience

@remlapgamer Which servers are you talking about exactly? So far, Nintendo's online games relied mostly on P2P.
And as far as I know - correct me if I'm wrong - when you play an online game (for example on PS4), you don't play it on Sony's servers but on the game developer's servers.

Besides, why should we pay for using their servers? Are you paying Google for using their servers when you search the web or use your email account or watch something on Youtube? Is Netflix charging your extra on top of your subscription for using their servers? Is Amazon charging you for using their servers?
Or to mention a gaming example: Steam, Uplay and other services aren't charging you anything on PC either.
And it's not just Steam etc., almost every PC online game - even those that had a subscription model before - are now free of charge after buying the game.

Face it, it's just a simple rip-off. You don't get anything for paying the subscription, they just force you to pay it because people are stupid and actually want to pay money for nothing.
Don't believe for a second that paying the online subscription will give you an 'excellent online experience'. If that was the case, why are people complaining about the Sony and MS servers so much? ^^

About the free games: it was actually Sony who started this, MS only followed them after they saw that people actually were dumb enough to pay for this. Before, MS charged you for playing online, nothing else. Then they realized that they could get more people to pay the subscription without spending any money (because they give-away games didn't sell anyway).

And what if I don't want any free games? I mean, I saw the games they offer on PS+. There wasn't a single game I would've paid for, only cheap games like Rocket League (although it's fun, it's a very cheaply designed game). They don't give you top games like GTA V for free (at least not until it becomes an old game), they only give you games most people wouldn't want to buy anyway.
And If by some miracle I happen to want one of those games, I prefer buying it separately instead of being forced to pay.

The biggest question is what you could get with the paid service. If the only thing you could get is the ability to play online, that's what Xbox Live did and get heavily criticized, until there were also free games monthly, digital game discount, etc. Considering the current library of Switch, I doubt the above would be true or interesting for Switch (even free VC game is not interesting as for many fans who already bought VC games on previous platform, it's supposed to be free). I don't think it's wrong for paid online service, but it's just the wrong time, especially lack of BC (otherwise they can provide free Wii / Wii U game monthly with the subscription).

@dkxcalibur I really hope the first problem will be the lack of players, and not Wii U's servers shutting down. It's only been 4 years, at least another 2 would be up to my expectations at the least..

HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN TO ME

Epic fail! Luckily I won't make use of it.

@Yorumi Ohh yeah! isn't this going to totally hurt pokemon? I mean the quantity of players should drop dramatically so not only you have to pay for trading and battling, your options are gonna be less too...

Lots of factors at play here. Price will be a major deciding point, as well as quality/options. Paid online multiplayer is not worth it if they keep the current model which tends to have limited chat and interaction.

Not a deal breaker for me, but it's a bit of a red flag. Understandable, but definitely disappointing.

@kotag I'm also concerned for Monster Hunter. Even if it's fairly cheap, I could see there being a severe drop in the online fanbase.

Wow the monthly game is not even yours till you keep being subscribed ...they aren't really putting up a facade this time about being the most greedy videogame company out there.
I just need a "no transfer" / "huge discount" on Virtual Console for game I already have purchased 2-3 times to cancel my preorder.

I sense a Pokemon MMORPG coming soon, they don't just implement paid online with no reason.

@Megal0maniac I think you're right but nothing is a guarantee and I wouldn't put it past a corporation to do something like shut servers down in order to sell a new system and game.

ITT: Cheap, entitled Nintendo gamers crying about a paid online platform that has existed on Sony and MS platforms for years. Don't tell me about PC being free either, PC games have had their share of MMORPGs that charge for online. This is hardly anything new and Nintendo gamers are crying crocodile tears because they finally have to pony up for online like everyone else.

The only concern is whether or not this will apply to ALL games or simply for certain games. I think it's a bit premature to jump to the conclusion that all games will suddenly need paid online, especially given that there are some Sony and MS games with free online features.

As for the online being crappy, doesn't it stand to reason that a paid online service would be better than a free one? Also if you don't like it, don't pay for it. I've had a PS4, PS3, and Xbox 360 for years and never once paid a penny for online. You can't claim with a straight face that there's that many Nintendo gamers who play online when there's not that many games that even utilize any meaningful online in the first place.

Bottom line: if Nintendo is offering paid online, chances are there's a reason for it beyond the usual "they're2greedy!" nonsense. As the above poster said, this could mean the beginning of a Pokemon MMORPG or something more. It could also signal Nintendo actually taking online seriously for a change. In other words... it's too early to start crying and being negative. Can we all please just wait for the Switch to come out before starting the doom & gloom routine? Christ sake. Lets be mature and informed, not whiny and ignorant.