Nintendo Switch Online can't catch a break, although the constant controversy surrounding it is hardly unfounded. The service has long been defined by its inadequacies, and a recent outrage brings yet another flaw to Nintendo Switch Online.
Nintendo's online service was never going to be very popular, especially given late CEO Satoru Iwata's principled opposition to charging for online games. Still, derision of Switch Online has come more from dissatisfaction with the service itself, as fans have long reported a lagging experience when playing online. Switch Online's dated netcode is just the tip of the iceberg, as the games available through the service (old Nintendo titles added via drop-feed) arrive there instead of a Virtual Console system, which many fans would have preferred.
Family
Nintendo Switch Online games are getting a surprise update
A Nintendo Switch Online exclusive game is getting a surprise update that adds quite a bit of content for subscribers to the service to enjoy.
Nintendo Switch Online icons confuse users
Recently, a number of NSO subscribers have been bothered by Nintendo's online policies, especially when it comes to profile icons. NSO users can unlock new profile icons via Platinum Points, which can be earned by completing missions or through promotional/tournament prizes. But purchasing these icons often requires a process that is a hassle at best and bordering on Rube Goldberg at worst.
The Switch Online Icon System is full of weird decisions
There are some immediate issues with the icon process, as many Nintendo fans have pointed out. First, icon elements (character, background, and frame) are in a rotating “Missions & Rewards” section of NSO, meaning each piece is only available for a limited time.
This FOMO structure is very oversaturated in the current market, and it's a particularly bad fit for what should be a subscription benefit.
There's no reason why any iconic element shouldn't be available in perpetuity, especially as there's little incentive for Nintendo to push impulse buys; icons can only be purchased through Platinum Points, which cannot be purchased with real currency. With rotating elements having the potential to disappear for over a year, Nintendo may be banking on this system to encourage continued NSO subscriptions – although icon availability is unlikely to be the deciding factor for any subscription renewal.
As for Platinum Points, these unassuming collectibles only add to the problem of a revolving storefront. Platinum points expire after six months, meaning fans need to keep up with their data. Fortunately, Nintendo offers a constant cycle of missions, so fans will have plenty of opportunities to collect points. Either way, it creates inconvenience in what is already a paid service – one that already has its fair share of complications for customers.
NSO subscribers frustrated by icon limitations
Back in March, Nintendo introduced icon elements related to Super Mario World and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Fans immediately noticed that these icons had some absurd restrictions attached to them, requiring fans to not only own the related games but play them within the promotional period. Not only was this not retroactive, but in the case of New horizons, the rewards section required that fans “have played on three separate days in the past 30 days, with at least 24 hours remaining between each play session.”
These absurd regulations are hardly good for the consumer, and many subscribers are beginning to express their concerns. Users on Reddit, such as u/WhispyWhirl, address these exact limitations, with Animal Crossing: New Horizons become the number one bogey. With the Switch's successor on the horizon, Nintendo should rethink its entire online system. Not only the quality of online should be corrected, but features like NSO games and icon elements should be streamlined and improved for the customer.
Nintendo
- Date founded
- September 23, 1889
- Head office
- Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
- Parent company
- Nintendo
