Last year, Nintendo launched Nintendo Switch Online, its first paid service for online play. A handful of Switch games like "Fortnite" can be played online for free, but popular games like "Splatoon 2," "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe," and "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
Subscriptions start at $20 per year, though up to eight Switch owners can share a single family account for $35 per year. Nintendo Switch Online subscribers also gain access to a collection of classic NEC games, which is probably the biggest perk of having the subscription.
Unfortunately, if you want to talk with other players when playing online, you'll have to use the Nintendo Switch Online companion app. Players can use the app to voice or text chat with people on their Switch friends list, and certain games have app-specific features.