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Nintendo Switch online subscription will cost $20 and give players access to catalogue of free retro games

Paid online services delayed to 2018

Nintendo Switch online subscription will cost $20 and give players access to catalogue of free retro games

Nintendo has outlined its new Classic Game Selection feature for the Switch console's upcoming online services.

The Classic Game Selection will offer a catalogue of free retro games from past Nintendo consoles to those with paid online subscriptions.

This is a change from its original offer which touted just one classic game per month, which may have been lost after that time period unless users bought it.

Three games have been announced for the service so far: Super Mario Bros. 3, Balloon Fight and Dr Mario. Additional games will be revealed closer to the time.

Needs more time

The changes come about as Nintendo delays its paid online services, which include voice chat and discounts on games, into 2018. The ability to play games online will continue to be free until the full package launches.

Pricing starts at $3.99 for one month, with a $7.99 fee for a three month subscription and $19.99 for 12 months. This is considerably cheaper than online subscriptions for other consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Nintendo reportedly aims to dramatically increase production of its Switch console to 18 million units by the end of March 2018. The success of the console has led Nintendo's share price to rise to a seven-year high.


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Ric is the Editor of PocketGamer.biz, having started out as a Staff Writer on the site back in 2015. He received an honourable mention in both the MCV and Develop 30 Under 30 lists in 2016 and refuses to let anyone forget about it.