Nintendo Switch Online down after Google Cloud outage, causing disconnects in Switch 2 games

A Google Cloud outage has had a domino effect on many of the most popular online services. Problems with Discord and Twitch have disrupted gaming communities and streamers for several hours. Nintendo Switch Online is also offline, causing havoc for multiplayer Switch 2 games like Mario Kart World. Nintendo has posted a status message on its network page describing the issues.

For now, it appears the PlayStation Network has avoided another bout of extended downtime. However, for Nintendo, the problems come just a week after the Switch 2 release date. Reddit and social media are full of complaints from Mario Kart World gamers who are unable to race online. Other users can't access services like the Nintendo Today! app. The Google Cloud outage is also inconveniencing Switch, Wii U, and 3DS owners.

Fortunately, many Switch and Switch 2 games don't rely on Nintendo Switch Online. By contrast, when PSN is offline, titles that are integrated with the network are severely limited. Nevertheless, NSO plays a larger role with the company's latest handheld. With the Switch 2, Nintendo expanded its lineup of streaming classics to GameCube titles. Gamers need the Expansion Pack on top of the normal monthly subscription for the largest selection. More players are also likely to depend on cloud saves, especially when upgrading from the original handheld.

Google provided an update stating that some cloud-dependent services were coming back online. Still, the Japanese gaming giant doesn't estimate when Nintendo Switch Online will return to full functionality.