You'll need to PAY to play Nintendo Switch online from next week

Nintendo fans will soon have to start paying for the privilege of playing video games online with their friends. The video game company has finally revealed when online functionality, which has been free to access for all players since the launch of the Nintendo Switch last year, will become a paid-for extra for owners of the console. Switch Online will launch on September 18 2018 and cost £18 ($20) for an annual subscription, or £3.49 This marks the first time Nintendo has charged players to access online multiplayer features, which were available for free on the Wii and the Wii U. A free seven-day trial will be available to all Switch owners at launch. Nintendo fans will soon have to pay for the privilege of playing the online elements of their favourite games.