What Nintendo Switch 2 Could Mean for Future of Nintendo Switch Online

What Nintendo Switch 2 Could Mean for Future of Nintendo Switch Online

As a long-time gamer who has navigated the complexities of various gaming platforms, I can confidently say that Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) has been a bit of a headache for many, myself included. While I’ve grown fond of quirky Nintendo franchises like Zelda and Mario, the online experience on NSO has left much to be desired.


With Nintendo officially announcing the Nintendo Switch 2, excitement is building as people eagerly await what innovative features this new console from the esteemed company might offer. The ongoing speculation about the Switch 2 has sparked much discussion, with fans speculating about the potential hardware power of the device. While visions of high-definition Zelda and Mario games running at 4K resolution or 60 frames per second are enticing, Nintendo aims to achieve more than just that.

From its launch, Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) has been widely perceived as less advanced compared to its competitors, PlayStation and Xbox. The criticisms directed towards NSO are largely valid, as it lags behind in several aspects such as a complex matchmaking system and absence of essential features like built-in voice chat. Performance issues are another area where NSO struggles, particularly with popular games like “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” and “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,” which have experienced low latency and connectivity problems, especially during their initial phases. As a premium service similar to Xbox Gold and PlayStation Plus, addressing these issues will be crucial for the successor of Nintendo Switch.

Historically, Nintendo hasn’t been known for extensive online multiplayer features, but with popular series like Smash and Splatoon building substantial online communities, it becomes crucial for the company to ensure they handle certain aspects effectively.

How Nintendo Switch 2 Could Improve Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Switch Online Needs to Get With the Times

When a gamer wishes to join an online match on PlayStation or Xbox, the idea is for the process to be smooth and intuitive; just a friend’s invite from their contact list should suffice to enter a multiplayer game. However, Nintendo often operates differently, usually making players share a game with friends by sending an invitation code. This can become problematic, especially when network issues occur, such as being disconnected due to poor connectivity, which necessitates obtaining a new code and starting the process again from the beginning.

It’s not common to require invite codes in games, as examples like Tetris 99 demonstrate that players can easily join an online match without one. This suggests that the need for this method isn’t always due to persistent technical issues with the hardware.

The overall user experience of Nintendo Switch Online is found lacking, predominantly because it’s missing fundamental features. For instance, there isn’t a friend invite list or party system like those offered by other consoles or top PC platforms, and the omission of built-in voice chat is perplexing. While players can use the mobile app to communicate with friends, this method seems oddly complicated for such a standard function, providing no real advantages over just using a shared phone call or Discord.

NSO on the Nintendo Switch 2 Doesn’t Need to Reinvent the Wheel

Competing consoles such as Sony’s PS5 have introduced unique elements, for example, real-time screen sharing. It would be great if Nintendo matched this level of innovation in their online service, but it’s not essential. Ultimately, the key advantage consoles have over PC gaming lies in their simplification of the player’s experience. This is particularly important for online gaming, where players should feel like they are part of a seamless, user-friendly tech environment, with easy-to-use features that make interaction intuitive and effortless.

By routing voice chat directly through Switch 2 console, eliminating dated elements such as friend codes, and facilitating smooth, effortless matchmaking, Nintendo might remain competitive in the online gaming arena. Consumers, when paying for monthly subscriptions to utilize online services, anticipate essential features and performance comparable to those offered by contemporary platforms as a standard.

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2024-10-02 22:05