As the Nintendo Switch trucks along in what is sure to be its final year, it would stand to reason that Nintendo is looking at expanding the options of Nintendo Switch Online for its successor console. While we still have no idea what the device’s name is (Switch 2? Super Switch? Switch U?), it looks as if Nintendo is planning to figure out how to upgrade its online services right now.
We will be performing a test related to a new feature for #NintendoSwitchOnline on #NintendoSwitch. Starting 8:00 AM PT on Oct. 10, existing Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members will be able to apply to participate on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Learn more:… pic.twitter.com/PKAz20oD5G
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) October 9, 2024
In a surprise announcement today, the Big N revealed a new “Playtest Program” for Switch Online subscribers that will have them playtest a “new feature for the Nintendo Switch Online service offered for the Nintendo Switch system.” Users interested in being the first to test some new Switch feature will need to head over to the official website and sign in with their accounts. You must be an active subscriber to Switch Online + Expansion Pack to be eligible and must be located in one the following countries:
- Japan
- United States of America
- United Kingdom
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Spain
The recruitment period will be held from Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 8:00 am PDT until Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 7:59 am PDT. Applicants outside of Japan will be selected on a first-come-first-serve basis while Japanese applicants will be entered into a raffle system. Testing of this feature will then commence on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 6:00 pm PDT until Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 4:59 pm PDT. Weirdly specific times, but essentially it’s one week for both.
Seeing as how this will function for the current Switch model, your guess as to what the feature might be is as good as ours. I would like to believe it is something that will carry over to Switch 2 and is possibly setting up the future of Nintendo’s online offering, but Nintendo also just announced a new alarm clock today as if that was a wild new innovation.
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Written by Peter Glagowski
Peter has been a freelance gaming and film critic for over seven years. His passion for Nintendo is only matched by the size of his collection.
