Nintendo announces mysterious Switch Online playtest for ‘new feature’

Nintendo has announced it will hold a playtest related to an unspecified new feature for its Nintendo Switch Online service later this month.

The test, called simply ‘Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program’, will take place between October 24 and November 6, and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can apply to participate from tomorrow, October 10.

Nintendo says it’s looking for “as many as” 10,000 participants and those who apply must have a Nintendo Account, be an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack member, be at least 18 years old, and be registered in Japan, US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, or Spain.

“Customers will need to download exclusive software to their own Nintendo Switch system in order to participate,” Nintendo added.

Launched in 2018, Nintendo Switch Online is the Switch maker’s online subscription service, which grants paying members a range of benefits such as online play, cloud saves, voice chat, and a library of retro games.

The base subscription gives members access to a library of NES, SNES, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color games. A more expensive Expansion Pack tier – launched in 2021 – includes a library of N64, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, and Game Boy Advance games.

Expansion Pack also grants subscribers access to paid DLC for games such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for no additional cost.

Nintendo also offers its paying subscribers exclusive access to purchase peripherals such as retro Switch controllers. Earlier on Wednesday, Nintendo announced the Alarmo interactive clock, which will be a timed exclusive offer to NSO members.