Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima took part in an interview with Time, where he shared some remarks on the Nintendo Switch‘s online play. Kimishima said that “online play with Switch is going to be something that’s key to the business”. According to Kimishima, Nintendo wanted to aim for an online subscription price that appealing to consumers. Not only did they want it to be reasonable to them, but Kimishima even said that Nintendo “just want to make sure that everyone understands that we will be going above and beyond to make sure that our customers are getting a service that is worth paying for, so we’re paying special attention to make sure that this is, again, a valuable service that they will appreciate from us.”
Kimishima Says The Switch’s Online Play Will Be Something “Key To The Business”

Let’s see how this works out during the free period from launch to fall.
Pretty much my friend. I think some people are gonna complain about this.
Meh…. So far I see absolutely nothing appealing with the NS in the “online” department.
This terrifies me the most…
With no apps, no internet browser, no social networks, weird matchmaking through complex means (phone app), no default (console) features like messaging//friend features, plus, the obvious Social-Phobic approach to voice chat and anything communicative … this ,all, does not reassure me of a justified fee for online features.
The Nintendo Switch is supposed to be a damn 8th-9th gen console for shitsake! The online infrastructure is looking so disgusting. Even The Wii looks better.
Ugh…
I know the console isn’t out yet and I may be running off assumptions, but Nintendo has done nothing to diverge the worry for their online infrastructure.
I like how it the system isn’t even out and you’re already assuming the worst. Online infrastructure is worse than the Wii? Seriously? Post concerns but don’t act like you have any kinda detailed info. You have no idea how good/bad it will be, so don’t act like you do.
It’s Nintendo. ALWAYS expect the worst so you don’t get let down when they finally reveal things these days. And that’s exactly what AKA-Link77 is doing. When he’s proven wrong, he’ll be happy & will celebrate like it’s 1999 all over again.
I guess that is one strategy
I already established that I may be running off assumptions. With Nintendo doing nothing to justify a fee or announce key features, most of what I said is still valid.
The only thing that was valid was that you thought the app might not workout. But the way you worded it was like you already knew exactly how it worked, and had experienced its issues.
I may be alone but other than having the infrastructure for actually playing online I’m absolutely fine with a stripped OS if it means more RAM for the actual games. Supposedly it’s only got 4GB.
That is a good point but if people are simply paying for online play then they may not want to pay or feel justified paying them.
You have an uncle at Nintendo?
No, just common sense. Besides when has Nintendo ever come close to having a good online infrastructure?? Most of what I said is fact like the NS not having a browser, no social networks, awkward match making integration (regardless if it’s optional) and the social phobic approach to voice chat. Sure, some features can be added in later, but as for now, my overall impression stands.
didn’t it say “yet” about that no browser shit?
Common sense doesn’t run off speculation. Things happened in the past, and things change. Common sense would be waiting for it to come out and waiting to see for ourselves, rather then cause drama from nothing.
When it comes to surfing the web I’m more likely to use my phone anyway.
Yeah, I never use my Wii U or 3DS for web surfing. My Kindle Fire is a much better web browser.
Man I couldn’t agree with you more. You took the words out of my mouth. It’s the number one thing that is absolutely killing any enthusiasm I have for this system. It’s so frustrating at this point. My cousin and I kept telling ourselves “oh they’ll get it next time, they’ll figure this out next time”. We’ve repeated this rhetoric since the gamecube days. 4 generations and 15 fucking years later and they still refuse to give the fans what they want. The original Xbox had a better online infrastructure then Nintendo has ever mustered. The most frustrating part is the tech was always built into their hardware and they just refuse to embrace it. This is a down right joke by now and I hate how much I let it get to me. I have zero faith they will rectify the problems you mention. This pathetic excuse for an online service is a guaranteed turd “until they figure it out next time” if they’re lucky enough to even have a next time.
The Wii U had apps, Internet browser, and social networks. It’s a 100% probability that the Switch will have these features aswell.
Switch just won’t have them at launch, which is why the service is free for a time. You have every right to be cautious, but Nintendo knows that nobody will buy the service if it’s not worth buying. They have have a huge arsenal at their disposal to make sure it’s worth buying.
I like your picture of Metroid let’s hope that Nintendo can deliver a Metroid experience on the switch instead of skipping a whole system on the Wii U was criminal. Us Metroid fans need redemption
Come on, I had almost completely suppressed the online features of the switch to where I started to want one again. Thanks for the bitter reminder about how shitty this service is going to be
Let’s see how this works out once it launch in the fall. I’m sure alot of people are gonna be happy with the online price. I’m still wondering if Nintendo Switch will support Network IDs from the Wii U, Miitomo and 3DS that we have in our systems that we can used in the switch. I’m still wondering if Nintendo might announced the network IDs for Nintendo Switch so we can used them to pay for the online services for a year.
Of course they support the same Nintendo ID’s they made the new Nintendo account system so everything would be connected.
They didn’t even bother mentioning Network ID.
Thats cause its a given. Plus i do remember someone mentioning it i think…🤔
Oh someone mentioning it?. Who?
I don’t remember exactly. I just recall it being mentioned. Actually i believe the Nintendo President mentioned that you would be able to keep track of your digital purchases through your ID starting with the Switch. Also i just remembered that the hardware trailer that came out today mentions using it for online in the fine print.
Is that so huh?
I’m pretty sure
You could be right
I think so too…and by the way, I think all of you are over jumping the gun again like when the NX rumor popped the first troll picture. Calm down, I have a feeling all of this is going to come later like the video recording thing is. Specially if that interwebs link said “yet”…could be all in one shot update, who knows.
Maybe.
The fact that we’re going to be paying for it down the line suggests the quality will be better. No more random dropouts (or at least drastically less of them). No more lag that makes you question if your red shell actually hit an opponent. No more peer-to-peer connections in favor of real servers.
This is my hope.
Why ass beatings?
Um…What? …. Your replies make no sense sometimes.
No it doesn’t.
Yes, your reply to the person above didn’t have to anything with what he said.
It meant beat his ass.
Hmmmm… Still doesn’t make sense. xD
Why
Take reading comprehension or English classes. ;)
No
K
K
.
.
“Shut up.”
Beat my ass, huh?
And you wonder why me and many other users have such a low opinion of you.
I pity anyone coming into these conversations out of context & try to defend sonicgalaxy. Like that guy the other day that tried defending him against you! xD
And why?
Still never understood the lag part. Ive never had a problem in Mario Kart online for wii or wii u. Maybe it is where people are located or their own connection not so much an issue with Nintendo.
Most games had little to no lag, but just try to play Smash bros Wii U online. “Shudders” The horrors are too evil to speak of…
Ehhhhh I’ve had instances where my shell will clearly hit another player, they’ll do the “hit” animation, but won’t lose any speed, like nothing happened. I’ve lost races I should’ve had better placement in because of that bullshit.
I never, not once ever played a lag free match in Smash online battles. It’s was really bad, bad to the point that it should have been taken down.
Well lets hope its more Live than PSN when it comes to servers. Those Sony servers suck ass, at least in comparison to Live. Dedicated servers is the way to go, but I find it hard to believe that Ninty might go that way.
You clearly didn’t read what I said if that’s your response- tis irrelevant and generally nonsensical.
What? Why wasn’t this a response to the clod above trying to sound tough with vague threats?
Oh WordPress, sometimes I lament your ways.
Unrelated, but guess who got Corrin and Marth.~
And Gordin and Cordelia.
HOT DANG. FIVE STAR LUCINA
Hell is down the hall, second door from the left. Please GO.
Sure thing, as well as with my awesome team.~
Goddamned you!
youre about to hate me more. Five star Tiki
Hax good sir, Hax.
I have a decent team… not nearly as cool as yours, but I’m happy with them. I’m meeting me characters from other Emblem games, and have two really strong peeps, but I don’t have one I’m familiar with. :/ But I’m having fun getting to know my team. :)
Wait. We can’t pick our own units & have to use soem randomizer lottery ticket bullshit!? Well that’s a letdown. I hate that kind of shit. Hence why I don’t do baseball cards & other random assortments.
Yeah. Random. :/ I doubt I’ll see anyone I’m familiar with for a while.
So much for going straight for Lyn, Tharja, & a few other units I love from the FE games I’ve played. :/
And hence why I’m smarter than Peter Griffin, too!
Anyway, is this random generator thing free? Or do I need to pay real money for this shit? I’d only support random generators if they are free. Like the random generator in Minish Cap.
Each character cost 5 orbs (the more characters you buy in one go, the cheaper they get. And you can get up to 5 characters for 20 orbs in one go.) Those orbs cost money though. Alternatively, you can get those orbs by logging in every day, and weekends. Also, by beating maps (story and special maps rewards you with orbs.) You can also get orbs (and other items) by completing monthly tasks (like killing 10 level 20 red enemies.)
The orbs are pretty pricey, but theyre also very easy to get. I have a few couple teams already, and have not spent a dime. I eventually will, but I dont want to feel like im forced, and so far, i havent.
Annd to answer your previous question, yes, the characters are randomly generated. (Special maps also reward you with characters, but theyre very low level characters, and not even worth it.)
And with that combined with always online crap, I’ve lost complete, utter interest in this thing. :/ … On second thought, can I at least level them up by using them? And does the character dying in a stage mean they are gone forever & I have to try & get them all over again using the random generator?
There is no permadeath in the game. Still got my Awakening and SNES units to this day. If it was, they would be rolling in money for people having to pay for more units.
And yes, your units can be leveled up, albeit slowly since beating a story level the first time would lower EXP gains if you rebeat the same chapter again. Training arenas can get you more EXP. Your only way of raising a unit’s stars are through Hero’s Feathers, which you need 25,000 of them.
Free so long as you play the game to collect orbs. Orbs are like coins for the slot machine. And it takes a LOT of orbs. You’ll run out pretty quick. You’ll have to pay or get really lucky to get who you want. In the meantime, so long as you keep playing, you can collect more orbs.
You son of a bitch.
Switch needs Rocket League,
Rocket League + Mario Kart + Splatoon + Smash Bros = totally worth paying an online fee for :)
As long as the smartphone app is an optional way to use online & not the ONLY way, paid online should be well worth 20 bucks a year. I’d much rather pay 60, to be honest, if it means tons of great deals & discounts, exactly like the ones with PlayStation Plus, for not just Nintendo 1st party games but 2nd party & 3rd party games, too. But for just a measly 20 bucks, the best we can hope for with paid online on Switch is access to NES & SNES games with online multi-play.
*sigh* Yeah. PS4 paid online is still better but it’s a start, Nintendo. So kudos.
Its also 3 times as expensive…
Considering what you get for that price, it’s understandable that it’s 60 bucks. When you can get games ranging from 5% to even 90% off, 60 bucks a year is well worth it. So it’s still better.
Only if you want the games they offer.
Same can be said for My Nintendo. But unlike that, PS Plus only requires you pay 60 bucks a year for the online service for those discounts while My Nintendo requires you buy 100s & 100s of dollars worth of games over an entire year or more for bonus points to spend on discounts. Sure My Nintendo is free but you end up paying more for those discounts over a year than you do for the discounts on PS4. The math is sorely against Nintendo’s discounts.
Not to mention near flawless online games & then there is the ability to save your save data in cloud storage which gives you another place to store your save data if something happens to the PS4 & it needs to be replaced. Cloud storage & near flawless online multiplayer requires servers to store that data & servers don’t come cheap. Now if Nintendo can somehow offer all of this & more for 20 bucks, then you people can go & diss the PS4’s paid online price point & say how it’s not better than Nintendo’s.
I’m not saying that the PS4’s is at a bad price, I’m just saying don’t expect a 60$ quality service for 20$.
Oh & did I mention that unlike Nintendo’s paid online where you can only keep the NES or SNES games you get for that month you got them in, the games you get for free on PlayStation Plus you can keep indefinitely for years as long as you keep your PS Plus subscription?
If you are a digital gamer, you will pretty much save more money than what you spent by paying that 60 bucks for that year.
I know how ps plus works…
you dont even know how the new online will be. can people quit acting like they’ve used the service?
Oh & you do? Then by all means, tell me all about what it entails so I can be as positive as you seem to be. No? You don’t know either? Then how about you quit acting like you’ve used the service, hm? As I said above, it’s Nintendo & I know to expect the worst case scenario so I don’t end up hugely disappointed. If I’m wrong, cool. But if I’m right, you better be ready to hear me being hugely negative of Nintendo again like I was after that shitty E3 2015 fiasco because I’m gonna be bringing down the fire & brimstone like no tomorrow.
Im being positive because its better than being a stick in the mud 24/7 and expecting the worst.
Well me being negative before launch is better than being negative after launch. Before launch, you’ve got less than 30 days to hear me bitch. If I’m negative after launch because I was proven right, you’ll have to hear me bitch for years. So tell me? Which one is truly better?
Or…and here’s a crazy idea, you don’t be negative at all until you have a reason to be and quit whining around us as that accomplishes nothing.
It’s a comment section. Expressing an opinion is all the accomplishment needed. And I do have a reason to be negative. Just because you don’t agree with them doesn’t change the fact they ARE reasons. Besides, no one is holding a gun to your head & telling you to read my comments. Same goes for anyone else wanting to whine about my whining. Don’t like it; don’t read it.
Better to have me be a “stick in the mud” for less than 30 days than 3, or more, years.
I’ll believe it when I see it
:D.
I just hope this means a better eshop in terms of vc being released at a faster pace and maybe even localizations of games that never made it outside of Japan. An official release of old FE games and Mother 3 would be great.
If Nintendos service requires a phone to go online while @home, it’s not worth paying for.
You cant even voice chat with strangers in splatoon 2 and they want you to pay. Yep, f!@k off.
||What matters is the reason to why we are here…||
||We’re not here because we are free, we are here because we’re not free…||
||The sooner all of you submit to Nintendo, the better, you know you want to hold the Switch right now…||
Let’s see:
Only 1 game, an old SNES or NES game, and free for only 30 days.
Multiplayer. Well yes. Something good for those who like it, which is a whole lotta players.
Netflix, Browser, Social Media, Etc aren’t there. Not sure how in demand these things are, but for a lot of people, it’s nice to have.
Quite frankly, they’re not doing anything spectacular, and so the price, even at it’s cheapest, will be too much just for multiplayer and the odd oldie game you don’t mind only having for 30 days. Maybe if they’re lease those apps, it might be justified, but doubtful. As you can get those apps at least elsewhere. But with their competitors giving multiple free games for as long as you keep renewing, Nintendo’s shooting themselves in the foot.
I say, $12 a year for what they plan, maybe a bit more if they add those apps people seem to like on every system.
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