Launching not long after the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Online has come a long way in recent years. Primarily as a service that provides players access to online features in games, this subscription model follows the same strides as Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus as a requirement for online gaming with friends. That’s not all it offers though, giving players access to a wide range of perks for their money.
As players enjoy access to classic games, DLCs and more, Nintendo has progressively padded-out this online service with more and more to enjoy as the years have passed. While still far from competing with other subscription services, the recent addition of Nintendo’s new music app shows that the company isn’t slowing down with new incentives for players to keep their subscriptions active. But the question remains about whether any of these factors are quite enough to justify a membership for Nintendo Switch Online when better options are out there.
Nintendo’s New Music App Explained
A Spotify-esque Service For Nintendo’s Greatest Soundtracks
Despite seemingly coming out of left-field, Nintendo’s new music app might actually be a big hit for fans. Allowing gamers to listen to their favorite soundtracks on their phones, this exclusive app for Nintendo Switch Online members could be very popular. Giving players the ability to stream or download Nintendo soundtracks, create and share playlists and browse music in different categories, there’s a lot more depth than meets the eye.
With soundtracks from franchises like The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, and Animal Crossing, there’s a lot on offer for players of all kinds. Extra features like extending tracks for up to 60 minutes, or hiding soundtracks that might give away the big ending or surprise boss also make it a great way to enjoy Nintendo’s best tunes. The only real downside of this collection comes in Nintendo’s avoidance of more popular streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music, making it more awkward to enjoy with listener’s other favorite songs.
Are NSO Benefits Really Worth The Price?
Nintendo Switch Online Might Be Best For Old-School Gamers
Nintendo Switch Online doesn’t quite compare to the offerings that subscription services like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus deliver, particularly lacking in the beloved game libraries of current AAA hits that both platforms hand-pick for their players. Instead, Nintendo Switch Online provides a game library in the form of classic NES, Super NES and Game Boy games. While this popular retro game collection is pretty vast, it might not be a hit for users that are more interested in current releases.
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While the base version of Nintendo Switch Online doesn’t offer much more than these old-school games and online services, the Expansion Pack delivers even more Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance and SEGA Mega Drive games. That’s not all either, with access to game DLCs and expansions for Splatoon 2, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Despite not being the most generous in what it delivers, Nintendo Switch Online does continue to offer a price that’s comparable to only a month or two of Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus.
Nintendo Switch Online Still Doesn’t Offer Enough
While Cheaper Than Most, NSO Has A Ways To Go
Nintendo Switch Online seems to be in a strange place within the subscription service landscape, offering players some decent perks while still being below the expectation of what most players want from similar services. While Nintendo doesn’t give players access to its new AAA titles, the catalog of older hits, including some The Legend Of Zelda gems, can still make it a worthwhile purchase for a lot of old-school gamers. Even the perks of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass and Animal Crossing: New Horizons DLC can be worthy extras for many players too.
As the ability to play online still remains perhaps the leading selling point of purchasing, there’s still a long way to go in making Nintendo Switch Online worth picking up, but these continued additions to the service might be setting it up for a future with a lot of potential.
For its price point, Nintendo Switch Online still remains somewhat fair, sitting on the lower end of most other comparable services. With that said, there’s really not much that most players purchasing it will continually return to use, with the older games likely to be frequented only occasionally. As the ability to play online still remains perhaps the leading selling point of purchasing, there’s still a long way to go in making Nintendo Switch Online worth picking up, but these continued additions to the service might be setting it up for a future with a lot of potential.
Source: Nintendo/YouTube
Nintendo Switch
- Brand
- Nintendo
- Original Release Date
- March 3, 2017
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