Although the Nintendo Switch just recently celebrated its 4th anniversary, fans are already looking towards the console's future. For the past few months, rumors and supposed leaks on a revised Switch console in the form of a Switch Pro have been abundant, alleging new features like a 7-inch OLED display, exclusive games, the implementation of Nvidia's machine-learning DLSS technology, and more.
However, one Nintendo Switch feature that seems to be void of all Switch Pro rumors is the Nintendo Switch Online service. The service first launched over 2 years ago, giving subscribers access to online play, a library of NES and SNES games, access to save data backups, as well as other features. Releasing a revised console may be the perfect time for Nintendo to beef up its online subscription service, so here are 5 upgrades that NSO on the Switch Pro needs.
Nintendo Switch Online Needs Monthly Free Games
Monthly free games have become somewhat of a staple for online video game subscription services these days. PlayStation Plus pioneered concept, and Xbox Live's Games with Gold has followed suit, allowing subscribers to download free games each month, with access to the games for as long as they have a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold membership. Of course, Nintendo Switch Online offers subscribers an expanding library of NES and SNES games, but it hasn't been an incentive for many.
While NSO's virtual library contains some classics, fans have begun to express frustration with some of the more obscure games being added to the service that almost nobody seems to even remember from those generations. Since it's likely that Nintendo wouldn't be too keen on giving away many first-party Switch games, it could beef up the Switch Pro's NSO by partnering with third parties and indie developers, which already have a huge presence on the Switch, to bring subscribers monthly free games that way.
Beefing Up Nintendo Switch Online's Virtual Console
Aside from there being plenty of classic NES and SNES games that have yet to be added to Nintendo Switch Online, fans are clamoring for games from other retro consoles as well. Largely, these include Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and GameCube games. For whatever reason, the Switch has yet to officially gain the Virtual Console feature seen on systems like the Wii, 3DS, and Wii U. Expanding Nintendo Switch Online's virtual library could go a long way, also incentivizing many retro game fans to pick up the service on the Switch Pro with the ability to play classic games at higher resolutions and framerates.
Nintendo Switch Pro with Integrated Voice Chat
While Nintendo has always been a bit behind the curve when it comes to its online services, voice chat is one feature that has frustrated fans ever since the Switch released. When Nintendo Switch Online launched, a companion app for mobile devices was also released, allowing subscribers to voice chat through their mobile devices. Of course, the infamous Switch Party Chat Adapter has still left a poor taste in the mouths of many fans. But recent signs point to improved voice chat on the Switch Pro.
Recent Switch datamines have found updates to the Switch's Bluetooth drivers, particularly related to the console's audio, leading many to believe that Nintendo Switch Online and the Switch Pro could be receiving integrated Bluetooth voice chat support in the future. This has become a staple feature in many consoles, so much so that Sony and Microsoft even offer their own wireless headsets for purchase, so taking the opportunity to add native voice chat, both wired and wireless, to the Switch Pro's NSO seems like somewhat of a must, especially given the modern prevalence of online multiplayer games.
Nintendo Switch Online's Return to a Social Platform
It goes without saying that the Nintendo Switch as it is has rather bare-bones social features. While certain social updates like the Trending page have been added to the Switch to allow players to see which games are popular with their friends, that is often about as far as interactions with friends on the system go. Nintendo 3DS and Wii U owners may remember the social Miiverse feature, which allowed users to join communities and post on message boards, interact in various games, share screenshots, and more. Although the feature is long gone, the Switch Pro may be a great opportunity to bring it back.
For a while, starting with the Switch's departure from Miiverse, it seemed like Nintendo wanted to distance itself from its once-signature Mii avatars, but upcoming games like Mario Golf: Super Rush and the Switch port of Miitopia seem to be returning to a heavy emphasis on Miis. That's not to say that the Switch Pro's NSO social features need to re-implement the old Miiverse system, but it could even serve as a great base for what many fans want out of a more social online subscription service. Given the Nintendo Switch Online on the Switch Pro more social features would almost certainly serve as an incentive for the potential console revision as well.
The Switch Pro Needs Online Play Invites
Back in 2019, the Switch's firmware was updated to support a native online play invite feature, however, to this day, it seems only one major title supports this feature, being Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition. Of course, many Nintendo Switch titles support in-game online play invites, but almost none support the system's native online play invite feature, despite it seeming very functional and well-polished. So while it is under-utilized now, the Switch Pro adding native online play invites for many of the Switch's most popular games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Monster Hunter Rise would give a huge boost to the system's multiplayer scene.
The Nintendo Switch Pro is rumored to be in development.