Nintendo has recently revealed an upcoming test of the Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program, which will be held from July 28 to August 10, 2025. Nintendo Switch Online subscribers from multiple countries can participate, and they will be eligible on a first-come, first-served basis.
Launched in 2018, Nintendo Switch Online is the official online subscription service for the Nintendo Switch 1 and 2. The service allows for online multiplayer, cloud saving, and more, and comes with an expanded tier, which gives players access to some games. In 2024, Nintendo held a playtest program for Nintendo Switch Online, which happened from October 23 to November 5, 2024. At the time, the playtest was described as a “multiplayer creative sandbox game,” which allowed gamers to explore areas, gather items, and create structures.
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Now, Nintendo has unveiled a new playtest program that will be held from July 28 to August 10 and will accommodate 40,000 participants worldwide. Gamers will be able to apply starting on July 21, 8 am PT, and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To qualify, they need to be subscribers of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, be over 18 years old, and have an account from one of the following countries: the United States, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, or Spain. Gamers may apply individually or as a group, but all members need to be from the same region and fulfill all qualifications. Nintendo also confirmed that this is a test “for the same service” as the previous playtest, but it did not give more information about what gamers should expect.
Who Is Eligible to Participate in the Upcoming Switch Online: Playtest Program?
- Gamers who have a Nintendo Account registered to either US, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Japan, UK, France, Germany, Italy or Spain
- Are active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members
- Are at least 18 years old
- Participants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis
2025 has certainly been an exciting year for Nintendo Switch Online, and the upcoming playtest may be a good chance for gamers who want to have a peek at this next project before it's officially released. Earlier this year, Nintendo added classic GameCube titles to Nintendo Switch Online, which are currently available for NSO + Expansion Pack subscribers who own a Switch 2. The games include F-Zero GX, Soulcalibur 2, Super Mario Strikers, and Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
Earlier this month, a rumor also indicated that five new Nintendo 64 games could be coming to Nintendo Switch Online soon: Donkey Kong 64, Forsaken 64, Glover, Rayman 2, and Super Smash Bros. This would be great for subscribers, as the addition of games to the N64 library of the service has slowed down considerably recently, but it remains to be seen whether the leak can be trusted.
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