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Nintendo Switch online services went down worldwide
We hope you weren't planning to play a few multiplayer rounds of Mario Kart or Splatoon while staying at home to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Nintendo's Switch online services went down around the world for hours, with the company's status page still saying as of this writing that it's "unable to connect to the network service." We've asked Nintendo for comment and will let you know if it has more to share, although it seemed like at least some services might be back based on our tests.
Jon Fingas03.17.2020
Nintendo is adding more SNES and NES games to Switch Online
Your to-play list for Nintendo Switch may grow a bit longer now that Nintendo has announced new games for its subscription service. To start with, it's bringing more Super SNES (SNES) games to Switch Online on February 19th, and both haven't been released in the US before. One of them is Konami's top-view shoot-'em-up game Pop'n TwinBee, which Nintendo calls a "cute-'em-up shooter," because it features cutesy characters. The other is the 16-bit classic Smash Tennis.
Mariella Moon02.12.2020
'Tetris 99’ gets a team battle mode
Tetris 99 is one of the best reasons to grab a Nintendo Switch Online membership. The free game pits 99 players against one another in crowded and tense matches. But the game isn't just about endurance; by clearing lines of blocks, players push their competitors' bricks closer and closer to the top line -- and the resulting KO. The title's new Team Battle Mode changes the formula by pitting four groups against each other, but adds some twists.
Marc DeAngelis12.11.2019
Nintendo Switch Online is adding 'Star Fox 2' and Super Punch Out!!'
Nintendo brought the first batch of SNES games to its Switch Online subscribers back in September, and now it's ready to add some more, despite intentionally irregular scheduling. Star Fox 2 is one of the additions, which marks the only time it's ever been playable outside of the Super NES Classic Edition console that was released in 2017.
Richard Lawler12.05.2019
Subscriptions and gift cards that make great last-minute gifts
Yes, a gift card can carry the stigma of feeling like an unthoughtful present. On the other hand, we live in a world where subscription services abound, and a virtual gift that grants someone a year of their favorite music, video or gaming service shouldn't be overlooked. When thinking about gift cards and subscriptions this year, we tried to avoid the obvious candidates like Spotify and Netflix -- most people who want those probably have a subscription already. Instead, newer options like Amazon Music HD, Apple Arcade and Disney+ might provide something fresh for the music, game and movie junkies in your life. To move away from entertainment entirely, a Masterclass subscription can help a loved one expand their mind and horizons, while Headspace can give them a much-needed mental respite from the grind of modern life. And if you're gifting someone a new game console this year, you can level up that gift by including PlayStation Plus, Xbox Live Gold or Nintendo Switch Online. For all three of those systems, an online subscription is a near-essential add-on, especially for multiplayer gaming. And in all three cases, it'll provide a happy new console-owner with some free games to download right off the bat.
Engadget11.11.2019
Nintendo seriously needs to fix multi-Switch game sharing
Now that the Switch Lite ($200) is out, Nintendo fans are coming to a sad realization: Sharing digital games between multiple systems stinks. You can set one console as your primary, allowing you to play games anywhere without an internet connection. But to play digital titles on secondary systems, you'll have to be connected to the internet (it's also authenticated every three hours, GamesBeat's Jeff Grubb confirmed over the weekend). Even worse, you can only play games through the account that originally purchased them. That's a problem for families where one parent account typically buys digital games, as writer Gary Whitta learned over the weekend.
Devindra Hardawar09.23.2019
Nintendo is holding an online 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe' tournament this Sunday
Top-tier Mario Kart 8 Deluxe players better limber up with some thumb exercises. Nintendo has announced a North American online tournament which will take place on Nintendo's Switch Online service from 1 PM to 11 PM ET on September 22nd. The top eight racers will take home prizes of 2,500 Gold Points ($25).
Marc DeAngelis09.17.2019
Nintendo's SNES-style Switch controllers are now available
Been pining for Nintendo's SNES-styled Switch controller ever since it was announced alongside the arrival of SNES games on the platform? You now have the chance to get them. Nintendo has started taking orders for the retro $30 gamepad, with the first orders shipping on September 18th. As with the NES pads, you can't just buy one out of curiosity. You'll have to be a Switch Online member to even consider a purchase, and you're limited to four units per account.
Jon Fingas09.16.2019
Nintendo won't deliver NES and SNES games to Switch on a regular schedule
Nintendo's addition of SNES games to the Switch Online catalog comes with a gotcha: they won't necessarily arrive at a steady pace. In sync with a mention on its Japanese website, Nintendo has confirmed to Engadget that its NES and SNES releases "will not adhere to a regular schedule" going forward. That doesn't necessarily mean you'll go without new games for long periods, to be clear -- you just shouldn't expect retro titles to appear like clockwork.
Jon Fingas09.06.2019
20 SNES games are coming to Nintendo Switch tomorrow
Nintendo Switch Online members have been able to play NES games on Switch for several months, and you won't have to wait much longer until you can finally play SNES games on the console. A whole bunch of them will drop September 5th, and they're included with a Switch Online subscription.
Kris Holt09.04.2019
Nintendo Switch Online adds a 'rewind' button to NES games next week
For July, Nintendo is adding Wrecking Crew and Donkey Kong 3 to the list of classic NES titles that Switch Online subscribers can play, but the biggest news is a feature that will work across the entire library: Rewind. Similar to a feature that Nintendo put in last year's SNES Classic Edition and that Capcom included in its Mega Man Legacy Collection, the gameplay rewind lets players instantly pause, seek through the last few moments of play and try things all over again.
Richard Lawler07.09.2019
UK investigates Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony over game service practices
Do you feel that game console giants hold you over a barrel by making you subscribe to a service to play online? You might have an ally in your corner. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority is investigating Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony to see if their online service practices violate consumer protection law. It wants to know whether their auto-renewal policies are fair, how easy it is to get a refund (or cancellation) and whether or not the terms of service grant these companies too much power.
Jon Fingas04.06.2019
Switch Online adds 'Punch-Out' and 'Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'
Nintendo's ever-growing library of NES classics that are playable on Switch will add two more entries on the 10th: Punch-Out!!!, Star Soldier and Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. Punch-Out!!! swaps in Mr. Dream for the game's original boss Mike Tyson -- hopefully without the Wii's scaling-induced lag issues on HDTVs and with all of the Easter eggs -- while SMB: The Lost Levels makes the original 8-bit release (which was released in Japan as SMB 2) playable, but now with easy cloud saves so you don't have to call your brother to get past a tough level. Star Soldier is a classic scrolling shoot-em-up, and all of them will be available if you subscribe to Switch Online. As a reminder, if you have Amazon Prime, you can unlock a free year of access via Twitch, whether or not you've already paid for online service to the console.
Richard Lawler04.02.2019
Now Amazon's Twitch Prime comes with a year of Switch Online
Amazon keeps tweaking the benefits of its Twitch Prime package for Prime customers with moves like adding free games and taking away ad-free streams. The latest change will be particular appealing to certain gamers, as it's teamed up with Nintendo to dangle up to a year of free Switch Online service with the package.
Richard Lawler03.28.2019