The Nintendo Switch Online subscription service will not be required for free-to-play games. The eShop is bustling with updated text on select online-focused games with the disclaimer, “From the full launch of the Nintendo Switch Online membership service in 2018, online play requires a paid membership.” All free-to-download games with an online focus, especially including the world-dominating battle royale Fortnite, are exempt from this requirement. Games like Splatoon 2 and Mario Tennis Aces are among the many that do require the service.
The list of games that will remain free to play online include:
– Paladins
– Fortnite
– Pokémon Quest
– Dawn of the Breakers
– Fallout Shelter
– Galak-Z: Variant S
– Zaccaria Pinball
– The Pinball Arcade
– Kitten Squad
– Pinball FX3
Nintendo Switch Online launches worldwide at some point this September. It includes tiers for single users up to $19.99 USD per year, or a family plan for up to seven other users for $34.99 per year. Select retailers like Amazon and GameStop are already taking pre-orders on the service for those ready to go.
