Nintendo Switch 2 Really Needs To Fix Switch Online

With the Nintendo Switch 2‘s release fast approaching, some of the core features players are excited about are the changes coming to Nintendo Switch Online. That being said, while some of the new features are exciting additions to the service, Nintendo Switch Online still falls well behind the subscriptions offered by Xbox and PlayStation.

Nintendo almost exclusively offers retro games as well as a handful of DLCs as part of their subscription, along with some unique special features, and obviously, online capabilities. While these are great, and Nintendo Switch Online is certainly cheaper than the alternatives offered by other consoles, online capabilities are necessary for a lot of Nintendo’s biggest games, and the majority of features beyond just playing online are locked into the more expensive version of the subscription.

Nintendo’s Biggest Games Are Unplayable Without NSO

Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Splatoon 3, & More Need Online Access

When looking at the most basic function of Nintendo Switch Online, which is being able to play online with others, there are some mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, the base subscription is only about $20 a year, for now, which is not that much more than what Xbox and PlayStation charge per month for their lowest tiers. So, it’s easily the most affordable subscription, but on the other hand, it almost feels a bit ridiculous that a majority of Nintendo’s major games practically require online access to be enjoyed fully.

Related

One Of Hideo Kojima’s “All-Time Favorite Games” Is Free With Nintendo Switch Online

Hideo Kojima has always been open about the works of art that inspire him, and one of them is free to play today if you’re subscribed to NSO.

If you don’t subscribe to PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass for online access, there are still plenty of notable AAA games that can be enjoyed on the systems without it. Meanwhile, the Switch doesn’t currently offer too many major AAA games that can be played solo, as the hardware for the console isn’t capable of running massive RPGs properly, so the best things that run on the Switch, and why most people buy it, are the Nintendo exclusives and first-party games, which goes back to needing NSO.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is undeniably one of the biggest games on the Nintendo Switch, and Mario Kart World is likely to be one of the biggest on the Nintendo Switch 2, but both of these need NSO to be enjoyed beyond just playing couch co-op or with NPCs. Same with Smash Bros., Pokémon, Splatoon, Mario Party, and a majority of other big Switch hits. Although you’re not technically required to purchase NSO to play these games, playing without it may lock you out of major aspects of each one.

This is likely why NSO’s base tier is so cheap, but even still, it would be nice to see Nintendo make more of an effort to produce games with a strong single-player focus, like The Legend of Zelda: BOTW and TOTK, especially now that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be more powerful and capable of supporting large games. That way, it doesn’t feel like Nintendo is primarily focusing on games that almost force you to purchase their subscription, and hopefully, Donkey Kong Bananza is the first step towards this for the Switch 2.

GameCube Might Finally Make NSO Worth The Upgrade

The Best Feature Coming To NSO Is Exclusive To The Expansion Pack & The Switch 2

Moving beyond online access, the other core feature of console subscription services is the games they include. For NSO, that includes a collection of retro games and some DLC content for their bigger games. Given that Nintendo, unlike PlayStation or Xbox, has had drastically different consoles throughout its history, it’s not as simple as offering every game they’ve ever had on the Switch. From the NES to the Nintendo DS to the Wii, Nintendo’s consoles have required drastically different controls, which is likely why not every console is offered through their Nintendo Classics collections yet.

At the moment, the base subscription includes the NES, SNES, and Game Boy collections, while the Expansion Pack version of NSO additionally includes the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, SEGA Genesis, and soon, the GameCube. Unfortunately, at the moment, despite offering what should be a batch of nostalgia for every long-time Nintendo player, the Nintendo Classics offered through NSO mostly miss the mark.

Related

Nobody Is Talking About The Best GameCube Game Missing From Nintendo Switch Online

With GameCube titles coming to Nintendo Switch Online, one essential game is missing that needs to be added at some point down the road.

Aside from a few old Zelda and Mario games, several notable games are missing from NSO, including mainline Pokémon, Donkey Kong 64, Chrono Trigger, Conker’s Bad Fur Day, and Animal Crossing, to name a few. Thankfully, however, with the addition of the GameCube to NSO on the Switch 2, the Expansion Pack might finally be worth the upgrade, especially with titles like Soul Calibur II and Wind Waker already confirmed for it.

NSO Needs More Features For Players

Game Chat Is Nice, But NSO Needs More To Do More With Nintendo’s Games

While everything NSO offers at the moment isn’t terrible, it still doesn’t feel like there’s enough there to truly compete with other console subscriptions, even with the Nintendo Switch 2’s upcoming Game Chat. Most notably, NSO is missing new games. Rather than including some older Nintendo Switch hits, like ACNH or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, as part of the subscription, Nintendo instead offers $100 vouchers that allow players to get two games from a pre-selected list.

However, the problem with this is that, for one thing, it still costs $100, but also, not every player is looking to purchase two games from the list. While you can hold onto the two vouchers until you’re ready to use them, and they don’t need to be used together, the list doesn’t change much, leaving just a few options to pick from. That being said, you almost can’t justify not doing it either, because it still saves you $20-$30 on a game in the long run, in case something you want is added.

Related

Nintendo Switch 2 Should Bring Back These 8 Missing Features

Nintendo has a history of designing some of the most creative and memorable features for its consoles, many of which need to return with the Switch 2.

Overall, Nintendo Switch Online is fine at the moment, but if Nintendo ever hopes to compete with PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass, then we need to see some big changes, and not just with a chat feature that requires purchasing additional accessories for the Nintendo Switch 2 to be used fully. This is especially true if Nintendo is planning a price increase for NSO anytime soon.