Tweet
Feeling a little let down by the Nintendo Switch Online experience? You probably aren't alone. During Nintendo's latest corporate management briefing, Nintendo said that they will "continue to improve and expand both Nintendo Switch Online and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack."
This push by Nintendo to do better comes shortly after the launch of their higher tier Expansion Pack subscription service. This higher tier of the Switch Online service runs consumers $49.99 (USD) per year, an increase of $30 over the basic tier of online functionality. The Expansion Pack tier provides players with access to a catalog of Nintendo 64 and Sega titles, as well as access to the Happy Home Paradise pack for Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
However, fans quickly found out that the Expansion Pack offerings may not necessarily be worth the added price of admission. Fans quickly noticed several issues with many of the classic titles being offered. Most common issues talked about input lag, poor framerates, incorrect controller layouts, graphical deficiencies, and even sound delays. While Nintendo did not specifically mention these complaints as a reason for their vow to improve the service, you have to assume it had some impact.
In spite of the complaints with the service, Nintendo did say that their subscriber count has surpassed 32 million people. This is an increase of 6 million users from the same time last year.
Of course the best part about Nintendo Switch's Online experience is "Your connection is unstable, so the audio may be interrupted." Those who played online will be guaranteed to come across that obnoxious warning numerous times at the bottom of their screens during gameplay.
...Actually saying the service offers faithful emulation may also be false. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's emulation doesn't render water/fog unlike Wii/Wii U Virtual Console and the original N64. So we have a nerfed emulation that was ALMOST as robust as an N64, provided to paying customers in 2021?