Nintendo has shared more details about the Switch's online features along with the annual fee. Moreover, they also announced that the paid services will be delayed to next year instead of the initial 2017 release.
According to Gematsu, the company has ultimately chosen to delay the release of their Switch online features for the Switch from its previously planned fall launch to 2018. Paid subscribers will get access to a "Class Game Selection" that comprises of classic titles like Dr. Mario, Balloon Fight and Super Mario Bros. 3, unlike the originally planned single Virtual Console game.
Users will be able to download and enjoy as many games in the library as often as they like granted that they still have an active subscription. The launch titles include several NES games while the Super NES installments are still under consideration.
While some have feared that this service would possibly replace the Virtual Console, Forbes shares that Nintendo would not possibly cut out a vital revenue stream. Instead, those two services should exist hand-in-hand and not cancel each other out. Similarly, a Nintendo rep also confirmed that these two will co-exist together. However, there is still no word on when they will release the Virtual Console for the Switch.
Aside from having access to online gameplay and the classic game library, the service also includes the online lobby, voice chat smartphone app, and Nintendo eShop deals. The one-month membership costs $3.99 while the three-month membership is $7.99. Finally, the 12-month membership is $19.99.
With this in mind, Nintendo has the cheapest paid online service compared to its two other competitions. Even so, only time will tell if this feature will help its online functionality as the company is notorious for their servers. Those who are interested in the subscription will have to wait next year to have access to all of these features.
