Why Do Some People Hate Nintendo Switch Online Is It Really That Bad

Nintendo Switch Online has been a cornerstone of the Switch ecosystem since its 2018 launch. It promises cloud saves, online multiplayer, a rotating catalog of classic games, and exclusive perks like the NES and Game Boy emulators. Yet, despite these features, a vocal segment of the gaming community consistently criticizes the service. From underwhelming infrastructure to questionable value compared to competitors, the frustration is real—and in many cases, justified. But is Nintendo Switch Online actually “bad,” or are expectations simply mismatched? Let’s examine the core reasons behind the backlash and assess whether the criticism holds up under scrutiny.

The Core Complaints: What’s Really Wrong?

The dissatisfaction with Nintendo Switch Online isn’t rooted in one single flaw—it’s a combination of outdated design choices, missed opportunities, and a lack of innovation over time. While Sony’s PlayStation Plus and Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass have evolved into comprehensive entertainment platforms, Nintendo’s offering remains stubbornly minimal by comparison.

One of the most frequently cited issues is the lack of native voice chat. Unlike other consoles, the Switch doesn’t support built-in voice communication during gameplay. Instead, users must rely on the clunky Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app—a workaround that feels more like an afterthought than a feature. The app itself suffers from poor UI, inconsistent notifications, and frequent disconnections, making group coordination during multiplayer sessions frustrating at best.

Another major pain point is the limited retro game library. While the inclusion of NES, SNES, N64, and Game Boy titles was initially exciting, the selection has grown stale. New additions are infrequent, and many fan-favorite franchises remain absent. For example, there’s no *EarthBound*, no *F-Zero*, and no proper representation of third-party gems from the 16-bit era. Compare this to Xbox’s backward compatibility or Sega’s generous Mega Drive re-releases, and Nintendo’s curation starts to feel overly cautious and conservative.

Tip: If you’re using voice chat, keep your phone charged and connected to Wi-Fi before launching multiplayer sessions—dropped connections are common otherwise.

Poor App Integration and Technical Shortcomings

The reliance on a companion smartphone app for essential functions highlights a deeper issue: Nintendo’s failure to integrate core features directly into the console. Voice chat, friend management, and even some storefront promotions require the app, creating friction for users who expect seamless experiences.

Consider this scenario: You're at a friend’s house, ready to jump into *Splatoon 3* together. To use voice chat, everyone needs to have the app installed, be logged in, create a room, and manually invite others via QR code or friend codes. This process takes several minutes and often fails due to syncing issues. Meanwhile, on PlayStation or Xbox, voice chat is instantaneous through the headset and system menu.

Additionally, the app lacks basic modern functionality. There’s no text messaging between friends, no party system outside of temporary rooms, and no ability to see what your friends are playing in real time without checking the main Switch dashboard. These omissions make social interaction feel fragmented rather than cohesive.

“Nintendo treats online services like a side project rather than a core pillar of the platform experience.” — Alex Rivera, Senior Editor at GameTech Weekly

Value Comparison: How Does It Stack Up?

To evaluate whether Nintendo Switch Online is “really that bad,” it helps to compare it objectively against competing services. The table below outlines key features across major platforms as of 2024.

Feature	Nintendo Switch Online	PlayStation Plus (Essential)	Xbox Game Pass (Console)
Monthly Price (USD)	$3.99 / $7.99 (individual/family)	$10.99	$11.99
Online Multiplayer	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cloud Saves	Yes	Yes	Yes
Free Monthly Games	None	2–3 per month	Included (full Game Pass library)
Classic Game Library	NES, SNES, N64, GB	PS1, PS2 (via Premium)	Thousands (including Xbox 360, original Xbox)
Native Voice Chat	No (requires app)	Yes	Yes
Game Streaming	No	Yes (cloud streaming tier)	Yes

While Nintendo Switch Online is cheaper—especially with family plans—the trade-off is clear: fewer features, less content, and greater inconvenience. For budget-conscious players, it may still offer baseline value. But for those expecting parity with modern subscription models, the gap is hard to ignore.

A Real Example: The Splatoon 3 Experience

Take *Splatoon 3*, one of Nintendo’s flagship online titles. When the game launched, coordinated team play was crucial to climbing ranks and succeeding in ranked modes. Yet, communicating with teammates required either shouting through a headset with no in-game integration or juggling the mobile app.

Marco, a competitive player from Austin, describes his experience: “I’d spend five minutes just getting my squad’s voice chat working. By then, matches were over. I missed invites, lost parties, and eventually stopped playing ranked altogether. My friends on Xbox don’t have this problem—they just press a button and talk.”

This isn’t an isolated case. Many players report abandoning online modes not because the games are unbalanced or poorly designed, but because the infrastructure undermines teamwork. When communication is harder than the game itself, engagement drops.

Is It Really That Bad? A Balanced Assessment

The answer depends on your expectations. If you’re a casual player who occasionally jumps into *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe* or plays co-op *Animal Crossing*, Nintendo Switch Online likely meets your needs. Cloud saves prevent progress loss, and access to classic games adds nostalgic charm. At $40 annually for individual membership—or $80 for up to eight users—family plans deliver strong cost efficiency.

However, if you treat online gaming seriously—if you care about seamless communication, rich libraries, or consistent updates—then yes, Nintendo Switch Online falls short. The absence of native voice chat alone is a glaring oversight in 2024. Combined with slow content updates and minimal investment in user experience, the service feels outdated.

Worse, Nintendo appears reluctant to fix these issues. There have been no major overhauls since the service’s launch, and recent investor briefings emphasize hardware and first-party titles over online improvements. This suggests that online functionality remains secondary to Nintendo’s broader strategy.

Tip: Use alternative communication tools like Discord on another device while gaming to bypass the app’s limitations.

How to Make the Most of It: Practical Checklist

You don’t have to love Nintendo Switch Online to use it effectively. Here’s how to optimize your experience within its constraints:

• Install and set up the app early – Don’t wait until you need voice chat. Log in, sync friends, and test connections ahead of time.
• Use a dedicated second device – Keep the app running on an old phone or tablet solely for voice chat to avoid interruptions.
• Enable automatic cloud saves – Prevent data loss by ensuring every game supports and enables cloud saving.
• Explore the classic library strategically – Focus on titles with save states and CRT filters for the best retro experience.
• Join communities outside the platform – Use Discord servers or social media groups to coordinate play sessions instead of relying on Nintendo’s network.
• Monitor free game additions – While rare, new retro titles do arrive; follow official channels to stay updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Nintendo Switch Online to play any online game?

Yes. Any game requiring internet connectivity for multiplayer—such as *Splatoon 3*, *Super Smash Bros. Ultimate*, or *Minecraft*—requires an active subscription. Single-player modes and local wireless play do not.

Can I share my subscription with family members?

Yes. The family plan allows up to eight accounts to share benefits under one payment. This is ideal for households with multiple Switch users and offers significant savings over individual plans.

Are the classic games worth it?

For retro enthusiasts, yes—but with caveats. The emulation quality is solid, and features like save states enhance older titles. However, the library grows slowly, and many iconic games are missing. If you’re passionate about specific classics not yet included, manage your expectations.

Final Verdict: Room for Improvement

Nintendo Switch Online isn’t inherently “bad,” but it is undeniably underdeveloped. In an era where digital ecosystems define user loyalty, Nintendo lags behind in both ambition and execution. The pricing is fair, especially for families, but the experience is burdened by outdated design decisions and a lack of innovation.

The core issue isn’t cost—it’s convenience. Gamers today expect integrated, reliable, and feature-rich online environments. Nintendo’s insistence on off-console solutions for fundamental features like voice chat signals a disconnect from modern usage patterns. Until these systemic flaws are addressed, criticism will persist.

That said, the service isn’t without merit. For casual players and retro fans, it provides enough value to justify the price. And as long as Nintendo continues releasing beloved first-party titles, many users will tolerate the shortcomings. But tolerance isn’t loyalty. If Nintendo wants to compete in the long-term subscription economy, it needs to treat its online service as a priority—not an add-on.

💬 What’s your experience with Nintendo Switch Online? Share your thoughts, workarounds, or hopes for future updates—we’d love to hear how you’ve adapted to the system’s quirks.