Nintendo Switch Online will launch in the second half of September and cost $20 per year

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Next month, the Nintendo Switch Online service is finally set to become a reality. With just weeks to go, more details about the service are beginning to leak, courtesy of Business Insider.

Priced at just $20 per year, the new service will give you access to a library of classic games, the ability to play various Nintendo Switch games online, cloud saves for some games, and voice chat through the Nintendo Switch online smartphone app.

Twenty classic games are expected to launch first, with more added later. Among the classic games are Super Mario Bros. 3, Dr. Mario, Balloon Fight, Donkey Kong, Ice Climber The Legend of Zelda Mario Bros. Soccer, Super Mario Bros., and Tennis.

Each classic NES game on the Switch is expected to offer online functionality. Also, in some games, you can play co-op online with friends or go head to head. All games feature the ability to watch a friend play remotely, and friends can “share” the controller online by handing off control of a game over the internet.

At least for now, the Nintendo Switch Online will only include NES titles. A “SNES — Nintendo Switch Online” library could be added in the future.

One feature not launching on the Nintendo Switch Online service is the much requested Virtual Console service, which was a digital storefront for classic games on previous Nintendo consoles. Earlier this year, the company explained:

There are currently no plans to bring classic games together under the Virtual Console banner as has been done on other Nintendo systems. There are a variety of ways in which classic games from Nintendo and other publishers are made available on Nintendo Switch, such as through Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo eShop or as packaged collections.

If you’re a Nintendo Switch gamer, the arrival of the online service is a big deal and should make the device even more popular. And if you’re not one yet, it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to jump on the bandwagon.

What do you say? Are you getting excited about the new online service? Which classic games do you want to see released? 

In other tech news:

• August is going to be a hot one for Nintendo Switch owners
• Nintendo Switch is about to hit a huge milestone, but there are problems
• Here are some of the best Nintendo Switch accessories on the planet

Bryan M. Wolfe

Bryan considers himself a well-rounded techie, having written articles for MakeUseOf, KnowTechie, AppAdvice, iDownload Blog. When he's not writing, he's being a single dad and rooting for his alma mater, Penn State, or cheering on the Patriots.