(Photo : Nintendo / Screenshot taken from official website)
Nintendo is urging players to be quiet about the mysterious Switch Online playtest that supposedly adds a mysterious new feature.
The test is known as the "Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program" and will take place from Oct. 24, 2024, to Nov. 6, 2024. Players who signed up for the mystery test have already been sent documentation regarding the program itself.
Nintendo's Playtest Program
These include a series of requirements that players must meet in order for them to be allowed to participate in the playtest program. One of these is that they need to keep the contents of the test secret.
The page that talks about this says that Nintendo is requesting participating players to not discuss or disclose the content from either the program test software or website with other people or parties.
Despite the documentation's warning, it is highly likely that many of the 10,000 players who signed up for the playtest program will share its contents on social media platforms, according to the Video Games Chronicle.
The playtest program includes a 2.2 GB download but Nintendo did not give out any other details regarding what it could include. Sign-ups for the playtest went live on Oct. 10, 2024, and slots were quickly filled by eager fans.
Many players are already speculating about what the playtest program could include, such as the return of the Miiverse. Other players wondered whether it could be related to Nintendo Switch Online retro games, IGN said.
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The Japanese company is recommending participating players in the playtest program to use TV mode as well as have a wired internet connection. One of the rumors about it is that it will bring Nintendo's first major battle royale game focused on Toad from the Super Mario franchise.
Another idea that was shared online is that the playtest program will mark the arrival of the Gamecube to Nintendo Switch Online. This would make the Expansion Pack tier even better than it is now.
The titles on this particular console have not appeared on current Nintendo hardware yet. Some people assume that this is because they have not been powerful enough to emulate these games, according to Polygon.
Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online was first launched in 2018 and is the Japanese game company's online subscription service. It grants paying players a range of benefits, such as online play, cloud saves, and many others.
The basic subscription gives players access to a massive library of NES, SNES, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color games. There is also an Expansion Pack tier that was originally added in 2021. This includes a library of N64, SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive, and Game Boy Advance titles.
The latter also gives members access to paid DLC for various games, such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe without having to pay more. Nintendo is also offering subscribers exclusive access to buy certain peripherals, including retro Switch controllers.
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