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Free Games For Nintendo Switch Online Subscribers: Here's How It Works

Members receive access to a library of "classic" games.

By Eddie Makuch on June 1, 2017 at 7:36PM PDT

As part of its Nintendo Switch online service announcements today, Nintendo revealed a change to the free game program it announced in January.

At the time, Nintendo said subscribers would get a free NES or SNES game each month, only playable for that month. But this has now changed in a notable way.

"Nintendo Switch Online subscribers will have ongoing access to a library of classic games with added online play," A Nintendo spokesperson told GameSpot. "Users can play as many of the games as they want, as often as they like, as long as they have an active subscription."

The first titles announced for the "Classic Game Selection" (name not necessarily final) are Super Mario Bros. 3, Balloon Fight, and Dr. Mario. Super NES games are under consideration, a Nintendo spokesperson told IGN.

The Nintendo Switch online membership program launches in 2018, though a date has not been announced. Whatever the case, it's later than expected, as Nintendo initially said the online membership program would open this year.

Subscriptions will be available at the following options:

1 month - $4
3 months - $8
12 months - $20

For more on today's Nintendo Switch online service announcements, check out GameSpot's report here.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

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deactivated-5d4c0b80dcd76

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deactivated-5d4c0b80dcd76

So I have to pay $20 for the year to play a cache of classic games? Which go away when I stop playing? No thanks.

5 • 7 years ago

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@mbrogz3000: and also for online, which is half the price of XB1 and PS4 mp

4 • 7 years ago

933

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@computernoises: He's just bitching. It's 1/3 the cost of psplus and XBL, and the same rules apply for the free games as those services. People complaint just want to hate. There's nothing nothing wrong with the subscription.

5 • 7 years ago

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@ice12tray: Obviously, you didn't do an ounce of research. It's NOT the same thing. With PS+, you do NOT get access to tons of free games. You get only 4 per month and can only play them with a PS+ Subscription. With Xbox One, you get 6 free games per month and you can keep the 360 games for life and play them without a Gold subscription. With Game Pass, you can play tons more games per month than the Switch will be offering. Switch gives you jack squat and no games to keep at all.

Upvote • 7 years ago

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@philip_hanan: Mostly right...but, maybe mistyped....6 games with gold a month? I have it, and never got 6 in a month. Usually 2 360 and 2 X1.

3 • 7 years ago

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@NeonicTrash: Yeah, he's got it backwards. 4 a month with MS and 6 a month with Sony. Works out to 2 per system. MS 2 for XB360 and 2 for XB1, Sony 2 for PS3, 2 for PS4, 2 for Vita.

Upvote • 7 years ago

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Edited By mariokart64fan

@mbrogz3000: you pay 60 a year for psn or Xbox

Upvote • 7 years ago

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This whole Virtual Console/Classic Game Selection thing has me worried it's going to fall FAR short of what I'd like to see. Nintendo could have one of the greatest retro gaming platforms/services of all time on its hands if it does this right--right now I'm nowhere near close to confident that it's going to do it right.

Upvote • 7 years ago

asnakeneverdies

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Edited By asnakeneverdies

They probably announced an awful service first so that they could later charm the audience back with a slightly better offering. Nintendo has some high profile sociopaths working in their PR departments. That's why I love'em.

Upvote • 7 years ago

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@asnakeneverdies: "They probably announced an awful service first so that they could later charm the audience back with a slightly better offering." Funny thing is, that's how Sony announced the PS4 and it worked really, really really really well with the sheep....

Upvote • 7 years ago

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@asnakeneverdies: Its still worse than PSN and XBL.

3 • 7 years ago

StopBeingOffended

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StopBeingOffended

@lunchbox2042: lol, it gives you THE SAME service (online play), and is a 3rd of the price. Yet idiots like you still find a way to complain about anything Nintendo.

3 • 7 years ago

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@stopbeingoffended: Nintendo's online infrastructure is amateur hour, don't pretend it's anywhere close to the same service for online play.

2 • 7 years ago

asnakeneverdies

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asnakeneverdies

@lunchbox2042: They all suck, but which one's worse depends on whether you value this kind of services for the freebies or not. If you only care for online play, then I would say this one's better only because it's significantly cheaper.

Upvote • 7 years ago

uubershikamarux

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Edited By uubershikamarux

That seams quite cheap but come on nintendo throw in some super nes games as well no one cares about balloon fight and doctor mario gets boring after about 10 mins

2 • 7 years ago

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Online Balloon Fight?

*grabs $20

3 • 7 years ago

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@Brettsky128: The free NES games aren't multiplayer. The service is multiplayer and the NES games are just a bonus.

2 • 7 years ago

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freedom01 Moderator

Now this is better than their previous "only playable for that month". And for $20 a year is a decent price, though there are some things they will have to improve.

6 • 7 years ago

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a FREE game, as long as you PAY

5 • 7 years ago

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@R4gn4r0k: "Nintendo Switch Online subscribers will have ongoing access to a library of classic games with added online play,"

Games not Game. Same thing as XBL and PSNow does.

4 • 7 years ago

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Edited By sakaiXx

Meh, better use rom.

7 • 7 years ago

18055

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@sakaixx: Meh, better use iso.

Upvote • 7 years ago

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Edited By sakaiXx

@lebanese_boy: sucks ps4 and psv "free" games iso dont exist tho haha.

Upvote • 7 years ago

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Edited By fig56

@sakaixx: ROMs don't have online play.

2 • 7 years ago

asnakeneverdies

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asnakeneverdies

@fig56: Sure they do, you can even go play Super Mario 64's online coop mode right now if you've a friend.

7 • 7 years ago

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@fig56: Actually... they do.

6 • 7 years ago

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@sakaixx:

I don't understand your comment. This is just a bonus for subscribers.

11 • 7 years ago

asnakeneverdies

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asnakeneverdies

@doctor_mg: She's just honing her trolling skills. Have patience, she'll get there eventually.

Upvote • 7 years ago

asnakeneverdies

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asnakeneverdies

@computernoises: Her avatar is the picture of a girl. Your avatar is the picture of a jellyfish. I just do the math jellyfish man.

5 • 7 years ago

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@asnakeneverdies: >math

Upvote • 7 years ago

16772

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@asnakeneverdies: thanks for backing up

Upvote • 7 years ago

asnakeneverdies

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asnakeneverdies

@sakaixx: Don't mention it.

Upvote • 7 years ago

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I love how some of the comments hang on their hate as if it's their life saver, This is a good thing, Come on it's friggin 20 bucks a year, I can tell you PC gamers playing MMO would pay more than that.

9 • 7 years ago

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@blazingsonic: Yeah it gives me a laugh. They complain about a system they don't have or plan on supporting either.

4 • 7 years ago

onetwothreegame

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onetwothreegame

Great news, great price, I am game!

5 • 7 years ago

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Yeah, so, that makes it totally worth!

5 • 7 years ago

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@computernoises: lol

Upvote • 7 years ago

2297

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Cool, now how about some games that every single person on the planet hasn't played? There are even Amish who've played Mario 3 on their Rumspringa.

10 • 7 years ago

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