Do you need Switch Online to play Nintendo Switch Sports?

Can you go one-on-one with the best of them all?

Nintendo Switch Sports is the surprising sequel to Wii Sports (and Wii Sports Resort). It features six sports—Bowling, Chambara, Tennis, Badminton, Soccer, and Volleyball—and the goal is to be the best player in Spocco Square. While the offers local multiplayer, there’s an option to compete online as well. But since this is an online feature, are you going to need a Nintendo Switch Online Membership to play?

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Is Nintendo Switch Online needed to play global online multiplayer in Nintendo Switch Sports?

Yes, you need to need a Switch Online Membership to play with others online. However, you don’t need a membership to enter Play Globally on the menu. If you don’t have a membership, you can access it via Trial Mode.

Related: How to play as Miis in Nintendo Switch Sports

What is Trial Mode?

Trial Mode is a temporary mode in Play Globally that people who don’t have a Switch Online Membership subscription get. You can’t play with other users in Trial Mode, only CPUs. You also won’t have access to the Pro League either.

Play Globally is the only menu that lets you earn points to buy cosmetic items, however. If your goal is to purchase new equipment, emotes, and other items, it’s worth playing Trial Mode.

For more help with Nintendo Switch Sports, take a look at some of our other posts here at Pro Game Guides.

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About the Author

Bianca has over three years of experience in gaming journalism, specializing in anything remotely turn-based and strategic, like Pokémon, Final Fantasy, and Honkai: Star Rail. She's a huge fan of Square Enix, RPGs, party games, and visual novels, but will play anything with a banger OST. She's a proud early bird.
Find Bianca Versoza On: Twitter
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