Nintendo’s online service for Switch offers unlimited access to classic games

Nintendo Switch Online will start in 2018 and will cost $20 a year. The service enables online multiplayer via a smartphone app, as well as unlimited access to classic NES games such as Super Mario Bros. 3, Balloon Fight and Dr. mario.

Nintendo announced more information about Nintendo Switch Online, the subscription service for online capabilities with the Switch, on Friday. The service costs $3.99 per month, $7.99 per quarter or $19.99 per year. Euro prices are not yet known. Initially, Nintendo announced that the service would launch in Fall 2017, but the launch has been delayed until 2018. Until then, online use is free.

Part of the service is the Online Lobby & Voice Chat app, the smartphone app that allows players to contact each other and invite each other to play. A limited version of the app will be released for free this summer.

The service includes access to the Classic Game Selection, with added online functionality. Nintendo confirms to Kotaku that users will have unlimited access to the collection of classic games, as long as their subscription is valid. Initially, it concerns NES games, including Super Mario Bros. 3, Balloon Fight and Dr. mario. Nintendo will announce more games later and is still considering whether Super NES games should be added to the collection.