Some time ago, we ran a story on the possibility that Nintendo’s online service for the Switch would not launch until Fall; now, it seems that that will come to pass. The Kyoto-based company has announced that Nintendo Switch Online is launching in September 2018.
While the Nintendo Switch has had games with online play (including fighting games such as Ultra Street Fighter II and ARMS) it has long lacked a dedicated, subscription-based online matchmaking and communication service in the vein of Xbox Live or PlayStation Plus. Nintendo Switch Online aims to rectify that, though it does come with one caveat: it requires a smartphone. Features such as voice and text chat, as well as lobbies on Nintendo Switch Online, will require a separate app that players have to download to their phone.
As for the subscription fees, as previously reported, subscribing to Nintendo Switch Online will cost $3.99 per month. However, players who subscribe for multiple months at a time can avail of discounted rates — three months goes for only $7.99, and one year goes for only $19.99.
Source: Nintendo