Nintendo Switch Online Release Date: Launch Times and the Nintendo Switch Online Free Trial

September 12, 2018

It’s been a long time coming, but the Nintendo Switch Online release date is finally here. The paid service, which will make it mandatory for players to play certain online games, plus comes with a whole bunch of goodies, also has a separate Nintendo Switch Online US release date compared to other parts of the world. If you don’t want to commit just yet, either, we’ve also included info about the upcoming Nintendo Switch Online free trial and how to sign up, should you want to dip your toes in the water.

Nintendo Switch Online Release Date: When is the Nintendo Switch Online US Release Date?

As per Nintendo, the Nintendo Switch Online US release date is set at September 18. However, don’t expect it go live at the push of a button on midnight. A console update is likely to be pushed through either just before that date or during it so the system can go live.

Nintendo Switch Online Release Date: When is the Nintendo Switch Online EU Release Date?

Things are a little different in Europe. The Nintendo Switch Online EU release date is coming to consoles in the region on September 19, a whole 24 hours later than their US cousins.

The reasoning behind that is unclear, but Nintendo, if it wants to elaborate, may choose to do so during the new Nintendo Direct on Thursday, September 13. Additionally, Nintendo says “more details about the service” will be announced during the Nintendo Direct; whether that means details such as a more precise time window remains to be seen, but it’ll be worth a watch either way.

Nintendo Switch Online Free Trial: How to Sign Up

While concrete information regarding the Nintendo Switch Online free trial hasn’t been set in stone yet, every single Nintendo Account holder will be allowed a seven-day free trial to begin with and you can sign up via the Nintendo eShop once the service goes live on the dates listed above.

#NintendoSwitchOnline memberships will start on 9/18. You can sign-up for a 7-day free trial from Nintendo #eShop at launch! We will introduce more information during the Nintendo Direct on 9/13.https://t.co/74Hzxk9spt pic.twitter.com/EJVFJH6F4I

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 12, 2018

Hey, I’m Bradley. I am legally required to tell you that my puns are terrible and I should, under no circumstances, be told otherwise. I’m that weird gaming guy you can’t really fit into one neat box: I love all of the sports games, Madden especially, but I’m equally at home polishing off a 45-hour Japanese visual novel. Also, go and play Danganronpa. Like, right now. Seriously.

For my sins, I’m a Crystal Palace and Colts fan which means I’m down in the dumps most weekends – so feel free to mock me over on Twitter.

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