With apps like Miitomo, Pokémon Go, Super Mario Run, and Magikarp Jump, Nintendo has shown that it’s serious in its efforts to increase its presence on our mobile devices. While Miitomo was a clunky (and let’s face it, failed) attempt to give Nintendo gamers a hub that brought their contacts and game info into one place, the Nintendo Switch Online app hopes to be a more effective resource for players to keep up with their games while they’re away from their consoles. It’s coming out soon, too, since Nintendo announced it’ll be available on July 21.
For now, it looks like the app is mainly focused on Splatoon 2, which will be released on the same day as the app. The app will provide access to a service called SplatNet 2, which was detailed in today’s Splatoon 2 Direct presentation (above). SplatNet 2 promises to be full of useful info for Splatoon 2 players, like stage schedules, player stats and gear, and a stat called Lifetime Inkage, which shows how much total ground a player has covered with ink and compares that area to real-world locations.
The app will also allow players to communicate via voice chat and invite friends through messaging services and social networks to join them for Salmon Run, a new co-op mode that we tried at E3 and had a ton of chaotic fun with.
Presumably, as more Switch games are released, the app’s capabilities will be expanded, so we ask you: What games do you think could work well with an app like this? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Featured image: Nintendo
