With Nintendo joining the paid online service game, people have been split on this choice by Nintendo. One side thinks this will help Nintendo in the long run as it will help fund servers to improve online services. The other sees it as a betrayal and a cash grab. So who is right with this new service? While it won’t be out until the second half of September, though the speculated date is the thirtieth due to Amazon having that date in their pre-order for the service. Though they are known for having dates as placeholders. While there will be an overview of this service when it comes out, let us look at what we already know and speculate on what could and what I at least wish for in this.
Cloud Saves
The largest selling point outside of price is that subscribers will have access to the Cloud to save their save files. Most debate that this should have already been a feature from the start with the system and that other consoles do it for free. Which isn’t entirely true. Yes you can put your save files on other devices on the Xbox One and PS4, but not cloud saves. This would be super convenient for the Switch as it has the ability to use micro SD cards. But to get upset over something the other companies have been doing for much longer isn’t the best way to criticize this part of the service.
There isn’t much to expect more out of this than to be what it is, saving your save data to the Cloud server. I see this as a major plus since like I mentioned, the Switch has no other way as of now for alternative storage. However I do understand where the opposition is coming from with this due to the lack of an alternative way to store game saves.
Online Service
This one most, myself included, have high expectations of. Personally, my internet isn’t the best so I miss out on most online games. But the thing is too, Nintendo doesn’t have Dedicated servers for most, if not all their games, even their largest title right now that uses online play, Splatoon 2, doesn’t use dedicated servers. So one of the big hopes of this service is that we get dedicated servers for online games. While it is always good to have a good connection, it’s better to have dedicated servers to at least eliminate the issue of dropping out ending the game, especially if it is the host. This will also help with connection issues on their side. As it won’t be player to player, it will be player to server. However this isn’t for all games, mostly First party titles. Free to play games look to be unaffected by this.
My personal expectations of this is the same as others, dedicated servers and better service on their part, but again, internet connection is a factor.
Nintendo Switch App
The app has raised eyebrows since the start, mine included. The app itself really has just one use, for Splatoon 2. It’s used mostly for social interactions and to keep track of rank in the game. The the oddist part of this is that it is part of how you use chat. The best way to describe it is that you connect your system to your phone and connect headphones to your phone. There is very little difference in this argument. Most want it either revamped or vanish completely.
I would rather have it revamped to accommodate more than just Splatoon 2. Mario Kart 8 would be a nice addition. If they were to keep the current controversial voice chat system. Account management should be available as well, access your gallery via your phone and be able to post as well. The app has potential, however Nintendo has dropped the ball and haven’t done much with this app. So I hope in the future we’ll see an overhaul with this app to include new features.
NES games (With online play)
Another choice that raised eyebrows, but is more accepted, is the ability to play classic NES titles online. Out of the twenty we’ll receive, we only know ten. Most were on board with this feature, however that started to shift after Nintendo went after emulators. While as a business, this is something to protect their products. It was a double edged sword as it also affected their public image. Only time will tell how this will go. Another complaint from some is that this killed the Virtual Console. While Nintendo said they have no plans right now for that, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t placing their old games on the Switch. This move is proof of this.
I personally want to see all the games they plan on bringing out. Because while I’m getting other stuff for the price, I want to play NES games I actually want to play. The Mario games and Zelda are a no brainer. The games I would like on there are Duck Hunt, Snake Rattle and Roll, Dig Dug, Castlevania, and American Gladiator.
If this part of the service is well received, this may open the door to games from other systems to come out, including Gamecube games. That is if they continue just posting the games in the Eshop.
Special Offers
This one has been under wraps for a while with no information on it yet. Speculation points to discounts in the Eshop. I wouldn’t be against discounts and it seems likely to be the case.
Pricing
This is Nintendo’s big selling point with this service. As it is the cheapest out of the other consoles. How cheap? The prices are as follows.
3.99 for one month
7.99 for three months
19.99 for a year
There is also a family plan which allows eight people on the service for a year for 34.99.
Compare that to the other consoles and you are paying a fraction of what you pay for Live Gold and Playstation Plus. That is a steal price wise. However as of now, we do not know how well the service will be. So to know if it’ll be worth the price or not will have to wait until after it releases.
Overall
While not much is known about this service outside of the basics, this will be Nintendo’s first time doing this, so we should expect issues for a while before it smooths out into what we would like it to be. But it could go either way as of now. Only way to know is to wait for release.
Justin Jablonski 