Just as Nintendo Switch users were looking into unofficial methods to back up their precious saved data, the company has announced that it will be offering peace of mind for as little as $3.99 per month.
The Switch Online Service will launch in September, combating what has been a huge oversight for the console since it became available to buy. The average player could invest hundreds, if not thousands, of hours, moving forward on their favorite games, but if the console was destroyed or has its data corrupted, progress will be lost.
The launch of what is officially called Nintendo Switch Online will also bring about 20 classic Switch-enhanced titles, online multiplayer functionality, and the ability to backup most of your data to the cloud. This comes at a very fair cost of $3.99 per month or $19.99 annually. There’s also an option for a family plan that works across eight accounts for $34.99.
While some players might despair that they’re paying a monthly fee to save games that are otherwise free to play online, what they must bear in mind is that they’ll be paying for complete peace of mind that the time they’ve invested will not suddenly be lost.
The following 10 games to be confirmed for launch with the service include:
- Balloon Fight
- Donkey Kong
- Dr Mario
- Ice Climber
- The Legend of Zelda
- Mario Bros.
- Soccer
- Super Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Tennis
There’s still no news about the Virtual Console store for the Switch, but the release of these games is the nearest equivalent for now.