Celebrate the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service's third birthday, also known as the Triforce year. Nintendo is hinting at new features for members in the coming year.
In a recent newsletter, Nintendo posed the question: "What excitement will the next year bring for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members? Stay tuned to find out!" This tease comes as the company prepares to launch a mysterious Switch online test, exclusive to Expansion Pack subscribers. The playtest will run from October 23 to November 5.
The exact nature of the test remains unknown, and participants are asked to keep their findings confidential, akin to Fight Club rules. However, it's likely that details will emerge once the test software is downloaded and explored.
Speculation abounds about what the test might involve. Could GameCube games be added to the membership via cloud streaming? Might party chat be integrated into the Switch system, eliminating the need for a smartphone app? Could a new battle-royale game join the ranks of Tetris 99 and F-Zero 99?
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack was introduced in September 2021, launching with Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games in October 2021. Last week, the previously unlocalized F-Zero game, F-Zero Climax, was added to the Expansion Pack library, along with another Game Boy Advance title, F-Zero: GP Legend. The premium membership costs $50 annually or $80 for a family plan each year.
