With Nintendo re-iterating that online play on the Switch will be free for all Nintendo Account holders until the service launches in 2018. As the company's answer to services like Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus, Nintendo Switch Online will let Switch owners play online in addition to chat and do other things via an official smart device app.

Also, for $20 USD you'll get access to classic games updated with online functionality. With the examples of Mario Bros. 3, Balloon Fight and Dr. Mario for the NES cited in the announcement. Plus, special Nintendo eShop deals for subscribers.

This is a change from the previous announcement that stated that players would only get access to games each month, with the new stance being you'll have access to an ever growing library of classics for as long as you remain subscribed. And for $20 USD a month, that's a pretty good deal.

The new timeline for Nintendo Switch Online can be seen over at the official site. Until the official launch expect to be able to play games like Splatoon 2 and ARMS via in-game online matchmaking.

And now we wait until the announcement of Virtual Console coming to the Switch at E3 -- with GameCube titles leading the charge.