Nintendo Switch Smartphone App, Subscription Service Launching This Summer, Fall Respectively

The Japanese version of Nintendo Switch’s built-in news stream appears to reveal details about the new platform’s smartphone app and subscription service. While the subscription service was previously announced to launch in the fall, nothing has been said about the phone app's release.

TechRaptor reports that after looking at the news stream of the Japanese version of Nintendo Switch, there is now reason to get hyped up over the smartphone app because it could be arriving this summer. Apparently, a blurb is saying that the app is launching in summer 2017 albeit in “preview” form. Nothing else is mentioned in the blurb.

The Nintendo Switch app is expected to act as a hub for the console’s social features. It was announced at Nintendo’s presentation back in January, but very limited details have been divulged to the public since.

On the other hand, the Japanese language blurb also confirms the release of the paid online service this fall. The service is being anticipated by many fans since it will give them access to the monthly Virtual Console games. Though no specific date has been provided as of late, it’s good to know that Nintendo is keeping its word of launching the subscription service in the said period.

At the Nintendo presentation, president Tatsumi Kimishima did not only announce the online service, he also confirmed that it will be available for free at launch. “Users will be able to try out Nintendo Switch online services for free during a trial period after launch,” he was quoted as saying by Polygon. “Then it will become a paid service beginning in the fall of 2017.”

GameSpot reported in early February citing Japanese publication Nikkei that the subscription-based online service will likely cost 2,000 to 3,000 yen annually, which translates to $17.62 to $26.44. Should this really be the case, Nintendo’s paid subscription could cost less than PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold.

Meanwhile, around the same time that the subscription service will go live, eShop will be providing discounts on Virtual Console titles.