CURIE

As someone who didn't watch the trailer/seek out information, this is a little sad since I assumed Nintendo was better than that. I don't plan on getting a Switch right away, but I get the odd feeling that is the is a Premium Account feature of any sort, it would probably be on the same level as Amibos, little bonuses that won't break the game.

On the other hand though, are we really that surprised? Amibos, Pokebank and the introduction of in app/in game purchases could all be called harbingers of this. I never thought I'd have to buy a character in super smash bros, but here we are.

First off, paid online is only on the switch it seems, not the 3ds. If the switch never gets a pokemon game, you don't have to worry about this.

However, this is worrisome in the case of Splatoon and Smash (if smash even comes to the switch) since they have good online multiplayer. I think the best thing to do is just wait it out and see which games are worth getting online for.

Also, Nintendo hasn't really been known for its online multiplayer, and I don't entirely expect that to change this year either.

If Smash doesn't lag like crazy in any online mode other than For Glory (that only plays smoothly when you're playing someone else in your region). I'm down for the premium price, Sm4sh online was bad (though not broken like Brawl). The problem is with games like Pokemon, Splatoon, Mario Kart that had well functioning online and that will lose a lot of value (especially Splatoon) if you don't pay for the online.

Nintendo has to significantly improve its online services to justify this, and I'm expecting them to do it.