UPDATE

The official Italian website has now been redacted to a generic 2018, falling in line with the other official websites. There are two options at this point: either someone at Nintendo Italy jumped the gun on the new scheduled launch date or they simply made a very strange typo.

　　We should know soon enough, though. There have been rumors originating from a leaked Electronics Arts document of a Nintendo Direct in January; should that turn out to be true, it could be the perfect venue to update Switch customers on the status of this service. We'll keep you updated either way.

　　

ORIGINAL STORY

Nintendo Switch Online, the paid online service for Nintendo's hybrid console, was originally meant to launch in Fall 2017 after the trial became available with Splatoon 2. However, we haven't heard about it in a long time and for good reason.

　　As you can read below, on the Italian website it is now explained that the paid subscription service will be available in Fall (Autumn) 2018. That's a pretty huge delay and one has to wonder whether Nintendo is simply having infrastructure issues or perhaps there will be new features to entice players to subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online. As a reminder, we've included below the official feature list confirmed by Nintendo at the time.

　　Of course, availability could vary between territories though it would be quite weird in this day and age where services and even games launch day and date globally.

　　

Online Play on Nintendo Switch

You'll be able to play compatible co-op and competitive games online by signing in with your Nintendo Account. Online play is free for Nintendo Account holders until our paid online service launches in 2018.

　　After the free-trial period, most games will require a paid online service subscription from Nintendo in order to play online. Currently the free-trial, the paid service, and online play (for applicable modes in compatible games) will be available for customers in the US, Canada, and Mexico. For the latest list of countries, please visit Customer Support.

　　This service is only for Nintendo Switch. It does not affect Wii U or Nintendo 3DS systems or online play.

　　

Nintendo Switch Online app

The Nintendo Switch Online smart device app is designed to enhance your online experience for compatible games on the Nintendo Switch console.

　　

Link to compatible games

This app will initially be compatible with the Splatoon 2 game. It will give you access to SplatNet 2, where you can see your online battle stats, your gear, and much more. See details here.

　　

Invite friends and voice chat during games

With the app, you can send online play invitations to players on your Nintendo Switch system's friend list. The app also lets you quickly send invites via social networks and messaging services. When you're invited to a game, you'll get notified right away via a push notification on your smart device.

　　Once players are connected, you can use voice chat openly with friends while in the online lobby and during online play (depending on the game).

　　

Classic Game Selection

Subscribers will get to download a compilation of classic titles with added online play, such as Super Mario Bros. 3, Balloon Fight and Dr. Mario.