Nintendo Switch Online Subscribers Slam “Anti-Consumer” Change

Nintendo Switch Online Subscribers Slam "Anti-Consumer" Change

As a long-time Nintendo fan and avid collector of profile icons, I must admit that the recent changes to the icon acquisition system through the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service have left me feeling rather frustrated. The restrictions on who can access certain icons based on game ownership feel like a step backwards from the previous system where anyone could purchase them with their Platinum Points.


Discontent among Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, spanning from the original Switch, the Switch Lite, and the OLED model, revolves around a specific aspect of their subscription service. Most Nintendo Switch owners sign up for Nintendo Switch Online primarily for two reasons: to engage in online multiplayer games and to access a collection of classic games from systems like NES, SNES, Game Boy, and N64. The subscription does offer additional benefits such as unique profile icons. However, some limitations concerning these profile icons have left many subscribers rather displeased.

When Nintendo Switch Online adds new icons, everyone can access them initially. However, during a second round, these icons become exclusive to those who own the respective games. It doesn’t matter if you have Platinum Points or not; you still need to own the game to download the icons. This is one aspect of Nintendo Switch Online that some Reddit users have expressed dissatisfaction with.

What’s the reason behind Nintendo requiring users to own a game in order to purchase profile icons using Platinum Points, as expressed in a widely shared post on the Nintendo Switch Reddit forum? Previously, one could buy any available icons regardless of ownership of the corresponding game. When and why was this change implemented?

In the same post and its comments, there has been some disappointment about how the icons for the game “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” are managed. It seems that not just anyone can claim these icons; you need to own the game itself and have played it recently. This additional step seems unusual, making it more challenging for subscribers to gain access. For instance, to obtain the September “Animal Crossing” icons last month, users had to play the game three times on different days within a certain timeframe. Those who couldn’t meet these conditions will have to wait until next September to try again for the same set of icons.

The original post states, “I believe this is one of the worst systems the Switch has ever had.” In simpler terms, you could rephrase it as, “This system on the Switch is really disappointing in my opinion.” The post continues to express dissatisfaction with a system where users are required to wait 11 months to purchase items again. This is perceived as unfair treatment of consumers by the poster. They question why Nintendo would implement such a system, wondering who it benefits. In paraphrased form, this could be expressed as, “The user feels that the requirement to wait 11 months between purchases seems to disregard the needs of Switch customers. They wonder why Nintendo would do this and who it might benefit.

As a dedicated Nintendo fan, I’ve come to expect their unwavering commitment to their decisions, even in the face of minor criticisms. It seems unlikely that they’ll alter their contentious approach to Nintendo Switch Online icons anytime soon. However, with the potential arrival of Nintendo Switch 2, there’s a glimmer of hope that the online system might be refined or tweaked to better suit our gaming needs.

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2024-10-05 17:09