Earlier this week, we reported on some ambiguous wording on the Pokemon Sword And Shield official website which seemed to suggest that players would be able to purchase online features separately from the Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) service.

Since then, Nintendo has released an official statement clarifying that this is not the case. Speaking to TechRadar, a spokesperson from Nintendo of America explained that the ambiguous wording actually meant that Pokemon Sword And Shield would offer an “in-game purchase option” for a Nintendo Switch Online membership to non-members, rather than some separate online package:

“As stated on the Game Store pages for the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield games at www.nintendo.com, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to use the games’ online features. The games include an in-game option to purchase a Nintendo Switch Online membership for those who do not already have one.”

With this official statement, it looks like paid online for Pokemon through the NSO is the new status quo for the franchise moving forward.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.