Topic: -= DO I need to pay monthly subscription to play switch games online?

Hi I am considering getting switch, to play online games such as Mario Kart and Gear Club Unlimited 2. But it seems a subscription services is now needed to play them online. Nothing like this exists on 3ds. Is this ture and if so how much?

The subscription thing is new to Nintendo and for Switch only. (right now anyways)

You can pay for a month, 3 months, or a year. They year I think is $20.

Or $35 for a family.

It used to be free. Why they do that?

Because the cool kids are doing it.

@thriftyarek888 Because they can - is what most complainers would say. In truth it let's them invest that money into the system to maintain online servers and services and invest in future products. It also gives them more financial incentive to release more online games. On the 3DS/Wii U/Wii/DS the online service was nothing but a cost for Nintendo. But now on Switch it makes them money, giving them more reason to support it. Also presumably their system will remain online a lot longer with people paying into it. Compared to Wii and DS which have already shut down - leaving Wii U and 3DS's fates in question. (I suspect Wii U has another year, 3DS maybe 2)

@Heavyarms55

That would make sense if Nintendo offered something like dedicated servers for us to play on but I think it's still peer-to-peer connection. (correct me if I'm wrong)

The online service doesn't need to have a paywall, it's just another revenue stream that Nintendo wanted to have. See PC gaming for example, free online no matter what app you use (origin, steam, epic store)

That being said it is the cheapest of the three companies that make you pay although it doesn't offer much except being able to play online whereas the others give you free current titles as another incentive to join. (I don't count the very few NES games Nintendo gives you as a part of being a member. It's VERY lacking.)

@ OP
But yeah in conclusion it's $20 a year, so you be the judge if you think it's worth it or not.

@ OP if you manage to get 7 other people to pool it with you, get the family one, $35 / 8 = $4.38 / year for online. Super cheap pretty much

I'm pretty sure it is p2p...

Not only that....but, it would be nice if WE GOT MORE THAN FREAKIN' NES GAMES ON THIS THING!!!

@darkfenrir @Joeynator3000

@DF
Awww you clever raccoon! Are you apart of one of these schemes? lol That is pretty smart though. $20 is a bit steep for what Nintendo is offering anyway. :/

@Joey
Exactly.
For realz, I wish we got more. Actually just focus on bringing more retro games altogether back, I want DS, Gamecube and N64 games on the marketplace especially and maybe offer some of those as incentives too while you're at it Nintendo! It would make a lot of us happy.

@BlueSquid Yeah, I originally didn't want to but my friend said he'll pay for my share so I just go why not. And with the voucher being NSO exclusive deal, I can say I'm glad I'm in NSO

Saved around $40 once the games I wanted are coming out (planning to buy Astral Chain, Dragon Quest XI S, Luigi's Mansion 3, Pokemon Shield)

@BlueSquid PC gaming is totally different than console gaming. PCs already have all the online systems in place. Consoles do not. But you're right it is largely peer to peer for most things. But they are also maintaining all the match making services, cloud saves etc...

I am saddened thaty Nintendo charges for what Vita, steam, etc offer free! Might not make them profit in long term...