How to Play Online with Others on Nintendo Switch: A Comprehensive Guide
Playing games with friends and other players online is a key feature of the Nintendo Switch experience. The process is straightforward, but understanding the nuances will ensure you can easily jump into multiplayer action. The fundamental requirement is a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, which enables online play in compatible games. To play online with others, you’ll generally need to: 1) Have a Nintendo Switch Online membership; 2) Ensure both you and the person you’re playing with have the same game (unless it is a free game), and then 3) Either: Join a game they’ve created or Invite them to a game you’ve started. Let’s delve into the details:
Getting Started with Online Play
Setting Up Your Nintendo Switch Online Account
Before you can play online, you need an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. This is a paid service and is not free except for a limited 7-day free trial offer. Here’s how to get set up:
- Access the eShop: On your Nintendo Switch HOME Menu, select the eShop icon.
- Choose your profile: Select the user profile you intend to use for online play.
- Navigate to Nintendo Switch Online: Click on the Nintendo Switch Online option.
- View/Change Membership: Select the View/Change Membership button.
- Choose a Membership: Select either an Individual Membership (for one Nintendo Account) or a Family Membership (for up to 8 Nintendo Accounts in a family group). You can also choose a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, which grants additional benefits such as access to Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Advance titles, but comes at a higher price.
- Choose a Trial (If applicable): If it’s your first time or you have a trial code, select to begin a free trial of the subscription you’d like.
- Start Your Membership: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your subscription.
Finding and Adding Friends
Playing online is more fun with friends. Here’s how to connect with them:
- Access Your User Page: From the HOME Menu, select your user icon in the upper-left corner.
- Select “Add Friend”: Choose the Add Friend option on your user page.
- Choose a Method: You can add friends via several methods:
- Search for a user by their Friend Code: If you know someone’s Friend Code, you can enter it directly.
- Local Users: If you and your friend are physically close to each other, you can send a friend request to nearby users.
- Users You’ve Played With: You can find and add players you’ve recently played with online.
- Friend Requests: You can check for incoming friend requests as well.
Playing Online with Friends
Joining an Online Game
If a friend has created a game and invited you, or you wish to join an existing game, here’s what you do:
- Check for Invites: When a friend invites you to play online, a notification will appear. You can also view and accept invites by selecting your user profile on the HOME Menu and scrolling down to Online Play Invites.
- Accept the Invite: Select the notification or the invite to join their game.
- Start Playing: The game will launch and you’ll be connected to the online match.
Creating and Sending Invites
If you want to host a game:
- Launch a Compatible Game: Open the game that you wish to play online.
- Access the Online Play Menu: Within the game, select the online play or multiplayer option. Often, this is accessed by selecting a menu item like “Play Online” or “Multiplayer”.
- Create a Room/Lobby: Choose the option to create a room or a lobby (usually by selecting “Create Game” or “New Room”).
- Invite Friends: Once you’ve created a room, the game will usually provide options to invite others to join. Typically you’ll be able to select from your friend list. You can also use the Nintendo Switch Online app on your smartphone to create rooms and send invites, including sharing invites through social media links.
- Wait for Others to Join: Once your friends have accepted the invite, you’ll be ready to begin playing.
Using Passcodes
Some games allow you to set a passcode for your online game. This can be helpful to ensure only specific people join your session:
- Set a Passcode: If the game allows for it, set a unique passcode when you’re creating a room.
- Share the Passcode: Share the passcode with the people you want to play with.
- Join with Passcode: Make sure they enter the passcode correctly when joining the game.
Important Considerations
The Need for Multiple Copies
In most cases, each player needs their own copy of the game to play online together. For example, if you want to play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe online with a friend, both of you will need to own a copy of the game, whether on a physical cartridge or as a digital download. There are some exceptions, for example, some free-to-play games may not require separate purchases, as well as Game Boy, NES, and SNES games included with the Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
Nintendo Account vs. User Profile
It’s important to distinguish between a Nintendo Account and a user profile. A Nintendo Account is your personal account, usually associated with an email, and tied to your Nintendo Switch Online Membership. Each user profile on a Nintendo Switch also has an associated Nintendo Account. If you have multiple user profiles on the same console, each profile needs its own membership or needs to be included in a family membership to use Nintendo Switch Online functionality.
Family Memberships
If you and several members of your household play online, a Family Membership may be the most cost-effective option. A family membership covers up to 8 Nintendo Accounts under a single subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do both players need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to play online together?
Yes, each Nintendo Account needs its own Individual Membership or to be part of a Family Membership to access online play and other Nintendo Switch Online benefits.
2. Can I play online with someone on a different continent?
Yes, if both of you have an internet connection and a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, you can play with players from anywhere in the world.
3. Is Nintendo Switch Online free?
No, Nintendo Switch Online is a paid subscription service. However, you can try it free through a 7-day free trial, which automatically converts to a paid individual membership at the end of the trial unless you cancel it.
4. Can I play the classic NES and SNES games offline if I have Nintendo Switch Online?
Yes, you can play the retro games offline, but you will need an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription to download and access them.
5. Can I use my Nintendo Switch Online membership on multiple consoles?
Your membership is tied to your Nintendo Account, not a specific console. If you are using your Nintendo Account on another console, you will be able to access your Nintendo Switch Online benefits there as well. However, each user on each console still needs its own membership, or to be included in a family plan.
6. Can different members of a family group play the same game online simultaneously?
Yes, as long as each family member has an active Nintendo Switch Online membership (covered by a family plan) and their own copy of the game (where required), they can play online together at the same time.
7. Can I use voice chat during online play?
Some games support in-game voice chat. For games that do not, you can use the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app for voice chat if the game is supported in the app.
8. How can I invite someone to play online if they are not on my friend list?
You need to add them to your friend list before you can invite them to an online game, using the methods described above in “Finding and Adding Friends.”
9. What is a Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack and is it necessary?
The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is an upgraded subscription that includes all the benefits of the standard membership plus additional perks, including access to a wider selection of retro games such as Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Advance titles. The Expansion Pack isn’t necessary to play online, but it provides more benefits.
10. If I use a Family Membership, do all members have to be in the same household?
While designed for families in the same household, there are no specific restrictions on who can be part of a Family Membership group. As long as all members are linked to the admin account’s family group, they can access the benefits.
11. How much does Nintendo Switch Online cost?
An Individual membership costs $3.99 per 30 days, with alternative options for a 90-day and 12-month membership. A Family membership is a single 12-month option. The Expansion Pack adds to the cost of each of these and can be purchased with similar options. The costs can vary per region.
12. Can I play cross-platform multiplayer games on the Nintendo Switch?
It depends on the specific game. Some games support cross-platform play with other consoles or PC, whereas others are limited to Nintendo Switch only. You will have to confirm the specific title to know if cross-platform play is available.
13. Is my Nintendo Switch Online account linked to my console or my account?
Your Nintendo Switch Online membership is linked to your Nintendo Account, not to the specific console.
14. Can I cancel my Nintendo Switch Online membership at any time?
Yes, you can cancel your Nintendo Switch Online membership at any time. However, cancellation means that you will not be able to play online through the Nintendo Network once the current period is up.
15. Are there any age restrictions for using Nintendo Switch Online?
There are no age restrictions for joining Nintendo Switch Online, although purchasing a family plan requires a parent or guardian’s Nintendo Account to administer the account. All users, including children, under the plan will then be able to access the Nintendo Online service.
By following this comprehensive guide and addressing the FAQs, you’ll be well-equipped to fully enjoy online multiplayer gaming on your Nintendo Switch. Happy gaming!