Sheesh, even my explanation was unclear. Sorry.



After a month, you can no longer PLAY the monthly Switch online classic unless you buy it. — Regular Chris Kohler (@kobunheat) January 13, 2017

Earlier tonight, Nintendo outlined its new approach to online services for its upcoming system, Switch. After the Nintendo Switch press conference, the company expanded on what its paid services will deliver to players.

At launch, all players will have access to online gameplay for free. However, once the paid component launches in fall 2017, online gameplay, online lobby and voice chat, and benefits like the ability to download a free game each month and have access to exclusive deals will be limited to those paying for the subscription service.

On Nintendo's official site for its online service, the company states that the monthly game download is either an NES or SNES game. In an interesting twist, the website states that the SNES games (and potentially the NES games, the wording isn't clear – Ed.) will feature "newly-added online play." The website is unclear on what exactly that means, and if the download only allows you to play the game for a month, or if the download is only made free for a month. Also unclear is whether or not players who cease to subscribe to Switch's paid online service will retain any games they download at no additional charge. This feature appears to be set to launch in fall 2017.

Since the statement on this feature is a little ambiguous, you can check out the full quote from the Nintendo site below.

"Subscribers will get to download and play a Nintendo Entertainment System™ (NES) or Super Nintendo Entertainment System™ (Super NES) game (with newly-added online play) for free for a month."

You can see the full chart that differentiates the capabilities of paid service subscribers to non-subscribers below.

Nintendo Switch launches on March 3 and retails for $299.99.

[Source: Nintendo]