Nintendo Switch Online Passes Another Milestone

Nintendo has released its financial earnings for the end of its fiscal year 2020. The previous quarter was a very successful one for the company; not only did the recently released Animal Crossing: New Horizons move more than 11 million copies in just 11 days, helping the Switch surpass 55 million units, but the Nintendo Switch Online service also hit a new milestone.

While Nintendo didn't share any firm numbers, the company revealed in an investors call that Nintendo Switch Online now has more than 15 million paid subscribers, up from the nearly 10 million subscribers it had in April 2019. Nintendo attributed part of this growth to Pokemon Sword and Shield and Animal Crossing, all of which offer online features.

Switch Online is the hybrid console's premium online service. Subscribers are able to play Switch games online with other players and receive additional perks, including cloud saves, occasional exclusive offers and in-game freebies (such as a special rug for Animal Crossing), and access to a library of classic NES and SNES titles. The most recent of these arrived in February and included Shadow of the Ninja and Eliminator Boat Duel for NES, and Pop'n TwinBee and Smash Tennis for SNES.

As previously mentioned, Animal Crossing: New Horizons has been a remarkable success for Nintendo thus far. In the same call, the company confirmed that "about 50%" of the game's sales were digital. Despite launching just 11 days before the end of Nintendo's fiscal year, New Horizons already earned a place among Switch's best-selling first-party games.