Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that the Nintendo Switch began it's paid online service last year and that it was met with an extreme amount of negativity. It's the least expensive service of any of the big three console companies, but as a result, it is also the most bare-bones and lacking in features. Nintendo tried to balance this out by including a library of some of their best classic Nintendo Entertainment System games with the service, but let's face it. Everyone has already played these games that want to play them and probably owns them several times over. This is where Tetris 99 comes into play.
Nintendo has hinted at exclusive content and features for those who subscribe to their service, but prior to Tetris 99, all that meant was a list of old NES games. Enter Tetris 99, an online-only Tetris game that pits the player against 98 others and is absolutely free to anybody that is subscribed to the Nintendo Switch Online service. Those who aren't subscribed don't have the option to download it, which makes this and the client that launches the NES games exclusive to subscribers. It's actually a genius idea. Nintendo has a history with Tetris, and Battle Royale games that pit 1 vs 100, is all the rage these days, so have an exclusive Battle Royale Tetris that you can only play if you're subscribed to Nintendo Switch Online could very well be the incentive people needed to subscribe, but will Tetris 99 be the only game handled this well or will there be more to come?
Nintendo has a chance here to offer online based games that only their subscribers can play and really grow this service into something their fanbase can be proud of. I'm still crossing my fingers for an amiibo focused game in the vein of Skylanders that is digital only and you already have to own at least one amiibo to play. There has been rumors and evidence that Super Nintendo games will be coming to the service in the same way the NES games are handled, but the fans still need something new and fresh. Is this Nintendo's plan going forward? Will they continue to release new exclusive games for the service? Or will they squander their chances by leaving Tetris 99 as the sole new exclusive game? It will be interesting to watch how this all plays out and to see if Nintendo can offer a service that is at least on par with its opponents as far as features and incentives are concerned.
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