It's safe to say that Nintendo Switch Online isn't perfect. As the more expensive Expansion Pack tier in 2021. And, while certainly cheaper than the tiers for Xbox Game or PlayStation Plus, NSO's other issues will lead some players to question the worth of ing the service at all.
Thankfully, NSO has seen some improvements, especially over the last year. Whether that be addressing certain issues with the system, or introducing new features for existing subscribers, the service is certainly in a more appealing state than it was at launch. Now, as the new year approaches, NSO will not only need to maintain its recent success, but the service must find new ways to evolve as the Switch 2 approaches.
Nintendo Switch Online Has Seen Its Fair Share Of Criticism
The Rate Of Classic Games Being Added To NSO Was Pitiful
It's not difficult to see why NSO has the reputation it does. Beyond the aforementioned issues with online multiplayer and pricing, NSO's biggest issue lies with its legacy content. The service has been notorious for the abysmal rate at which classic games and console libraries are added for subscribers. If the sparse selection of 20 NES games at launch wasn't bad enough, it would take Nintendo over four years to add the SNES, N64, Game Boy, and Game Boy Advance to the service.
Moreover, NSO has faced criticism over the quality of titles added to the service. The launch of the N64 catalog, for example, was rife with problems, as players noticed input lag and rendering issues with titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, that affected their overall enjoyment playing these games on NSO. Nintendo's lackadaisical approach to its legacy content on NSO has proven to be a major disappointment for players who may be trying out these classic titles for the first time.
NSO's issues with legacy content are disappointing, especially considering it's one of the service's biggest features. Nintendo's back catalog of classic games is unrivaled by almost any other publisher or developer. Plus, with the monumental success of the Switch, NSO will be the easiest way to access this library for many players, making it a guaranteed success. The service's failure to take advantage of one of its biggest selling points resulted in a massive downgrade to its overall quality, calling into question the worth of ing NSO at all.
2024 Was A Major Year For Nintendo Switch Online
More Games Were Added To The Service Than Any Previous Year
Thankfully, Nintendo has shown a willingness to rectify issues with legacy content on NSO, especially in the past year. As reported by F-Zero Climax's addition marks the game's first release outside of Japan.
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NSO's additions in 2024 were indicative of a major shift in Nintendo's approach to the service. Even if the new record is only a minor improvement over the 55 games added in 2023, the increase demonstrates Nintendo's commitment to providing more consistent to NSO's legacy content. Moreover, the addition of certain titles, whose appearance on the service once seemed impossible, shows recognition of the importance of making these beloved games more widely available, making NSO more appealing with its larger and more varied library.
2025 Could Be Make-Or-Break For NSO
The Switch 2 Puts More Pressure On NSO
While the improvements to NSO have helped to broaden the service's appeal, 2025 will be a crucial year for its future success. For starters, the increase in games added to the service will come with expectations from players that Nintendo will be able to maintain consistent in the future. The appeal of an online service like NSO not only comes in the content already available, but the promise of future additions to justify the continuous monthly payments, making consistency a priority.
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However, the biggest challenge NSO faces in 2025 is the release of the Switch 2, which will the service at launch. The introduction of a new system puts pressure on NSO to not only maintain the momentum of the past year, but to take advantage of the more powerful console to evolve past what it was previously capable of. If NSO is to continue its success on the Switch 2, Nintendo must prove to players that there is more for the service to offer beyond what's currently available to subscribers.
How NSO Should Evolve For Nintendo Switch 2
More Benefits Could Help To Win Over Subscribers
There are many ways that NSO can evolve for the Switch 2. Of course, while the service's legacy content has certainly improved, it's still not quite where it should be. More specifically, the service is still without certain console libraries, including the GameCube. The launch of the Switch 2 is a perfect opportunity to rapidly expand NSO's current library of classic games with the addition of more console libraries like the GameCube, reassuring subscribers of Nintendo's commitment to ing legacy content, while showing the sheer scale that the library could reach on the new console.
Nintendo could also improve on NSO by incorporating more features for subscribers to take advantage of. The company has already demonstrated interest in adding new features, with the introduction of the Nintendo Music app, alongside the Playtest Program that gave participants an exclusive look into what Nintendo is currently working on. Additional services such as these are a great incentive for players to NSO, as subscribers are consistently rewarded for their commitment. Whether it be through more playtests or potentially even early access to new titles, more benefits should be rewarded to current NSO subscribers on the Switch 2.
It's clear that NSO has an important year ahead. Not only must the service continue to provide consistent for its existing features, but the launch of the Switch 2 will be a crucial moment for NSO to prove it can evolve and offer new experiences for subscribers to take advantage of in the twilight of the Nintendo Switch's lifespan. 2025 is NSO's most crucial year to date, and only time will tell on whether the service can deliver.
Source: Game Rant
- Brand
- Nintendo
- Original Release Date
- March 3, 2017
- Hardware Versions
- Nintendo Switch
- Original MSRP (USD)
- $299.99
- Weight
- .71 lbs
The Nintendo Switch is the successor to 2012’s Wii U console. The Nintendo Switch allows gamers to easily switch between playing on a TV to a handheld console. The first model was released in 2017, followed by the Nintendo Switch Lite, which is strictly a handheld console. In October 2021, Nintendo released an upgraded Switch console with an OLED screen.
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