Nintendo Switch Online hasn’t exactly blown anyone away in the time that it’s been around, but the subscription service still continues to see slow but steady growth on all fronts. Standing at 32 million subscribers as of November last year, Nintendo has said on numerous occasions that it aims to keep adding to the service’s value, and it looks like there’s a similar plan in place for the foreseeable future as well.
Speaking during a recent Q&A session with investors, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said that Nintendo Switch Online’s subscription numbers are “gradually increasing” (though updated figures weren’t provided), and added that to keep subscribers engaged enough that they keep renewing their subscriptions, Nintendo intends to keep releasing new content for users to enjoy.
“The total subscribers of Nintendo Switch Online has not been updated from the 32 million subscribers we disclosed last September, but it is gradually increasing as the sales of Nintendo Switches increases,” Furukawa said (via VGC). “Of course, there are customers who allow their subscribership to expire, and then they don’t renew, so we believe it is important to continue releasing software that allows players to continue enjoying, not only online play, but also enhances their overall experience.
“We will continue to expand our services and create new content for our customers throughout this year.”
Over the last few months, Nintendo has frequently updated the Nintendo Switch Online library, with new NES and SNES additions, as well as regular new updates to the N64 and Sega Genesis libraries offered with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscriptions. Recently, Nintendo also made Splatoon 2’s DLC, Octo Expansion, free for all Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers who own the base game.
Reports and leaks have also heavily suggested that Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games are also soon going to make their way to the subscription service, but that has yet to be confirmed.