Nintendo’s paid online service is about to launch and with it comes an affordable price for those looking to use the online features of their games. This includes subscription costs and what benefits it will provide to subscribers.

Detailed early Tuesday, Nintendo has finally released information pertaining to their online service, which is set to launch this September. The service will feature benefits such as subscribed only eShop discounts, cloud save backups, and access to some of Nintendo’s most beloved classic games.

Nintendo has revealed that the service is set to launch this September and will require Nintendo Switch owners who wish to play online to pay for the service, allowing them to join the ranks of Microsoft and Sony for paid online play. However, the costs are a bit more affordable than Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. You can take a peek at the plan down below.

• 1 month for $3.99
• 3 months for $7.99
• 12 months for $19.99
• 12 months family plan for $34.99

The more surprising part about Sony’s approach is the fact they’ve added a Family Plan into the mix, allowing a single Nintendo Switch with more than one user to have online service for each of the profiles on the handheld itself (up to eight accounts). Better than each person paying $20 USD a year, right?

Nintendo has also revealed an NES Classic Games service will launch as an added part of the service, which will see some classic games ship with added online play, even for single player titles. This includes players the ability for two Switches that are online to play the same game, taking turns as they please, or do things a bit more old fashion such as sharing a screen.

As part of their announcement, Nintendo has revealed the first twenty titles that will ship with the Nintendo Network service in just a few months:

• Soccer
• Tennis
• Donkey Kong
• Mario Bros.
• Super Mario Bros.
• Balloon Fight
• Ice Climber
• Dr. Mario
• The Legend of Zelda
• Super Mario Bros. 3

Nintendo has also revealed as part of the Switch’s Nintendo Network online subscription, users will also be granted the ability to use their very own cloud-based services to back up their saves along with eShop exclusive deals for subscribers. The only downside to this entire service? Nintendo hasn’t reconsidered their voice chat options or app-based solutions for friend management and in-game invites. Even with the NES games, Nintendo has revealed that they will be encouraging people to use their Nintendo online phone app, which was introduced a year ago.

Since the launch of their mobile app, Nintendo has been the host to ridicule over their approach to voice chat and game invites. Nintendo has revealed that those who do not have a subscription will be blocked from the app once the September update rolls out to their fanbase.

Nintendo has revealed in their press release yesterday, that they will be detailing feature such as the cloud saves in more depth at a later date, but will do so just before the September launch. It officially looks as if the days of free online play through Nintendo products has come to an end.

[Source: Nintendo]

About the Writer:

Dustin is our native console game reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the borders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPGs, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over on Twitter, Twitch.tv or Facebook.