Nintendo Switch Online App Is Now Available, Will Only Work For 'Splatoon 2'

Nintendo has launched its Nintendo Switch Online app for iOS and Android devices. The app currently doesn’t do much, but it will support the online features of “Splatoon 2,” which is scheduled to be released this Friday, July 21.

The Nintendo Switch Online app for iOS and Android is completely free, including the online features of “Splatoon 2.” However, as previously announced by the Japanese gaming firm, Switch Online services will only be free until the end of 2017.

Starting in 2018 when the Switch Online service officially launches, players will have to pay $19.99 for a 12-month subscription. Users also have the option to pay $3.99 for a monthly subscription, or $7.99 for a 3-month subscription.

READ: Nintendo Explains Switch's Online Service Delay, Virtual Console & File Management

What does the Switch Online app actually do? Players will have to use the app in order to invite friends to online matches. The app is also used for voice chats and inviting friends for private games, league battles and Salmon runs. This is also why Nintendo launched this app ahead of the release of “Splatoon 2,” for it features an online competition called Splatfest.

Users will be able to connect their Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts to the Switch Online app. This makes it easier for users to invite friends to games and matches for multiplayer online modes. A Nintendo account is also required to use the app.

Voice chat will work in different ways depending on what game a user is playing. Nintendo says that users should be able voice chat with everyone in the same room, or they could simply split voice chat into teams.

The Nintendo Switch Online app will only work on devices running iOS 9 or later and devices running Android 4.4 KitKat or later. The app currently supports English, Japanese, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, Russian, Portuguese and Italian, according to GameSpot.

READ: Nintendo Switch Online News: Paid Service Launches In 2018, But For How Much?​

The Nintendo Switch Online app won’t actually work on all Switch games. The app will only work for games that heavily feature online gameplay. “Splatoon 2” will be the first and only game to fully support the Switch Online app, but more games are expected to support the app over time.

Speaking of “Splatoon 2,” the game has been received well by critics. GameSpot and Polygon both gave the game an 8 out of 10, while US Gamer and GamesRadar both gave it a 4 out of 5. Although reviewers have generally given “Splatoon 2” positive reviews, most of them agree that it’s almost the same as the original “Splatoon,” but it’s different enough to still feel fresh.

“‘Splatoon 2’ is more of the same. It's a lot more of the same, seeing how it folds in all the improvements and additions that were introduced to the original over time and gives returning maps a significant makeover. It's going to be a lot more of the same--with the potential for some new surprises--given how ‘Splatoon 2’ is going to benefit from the same steady roll-out of new weapons, maps and modes.” — Eurogamer