The Nintendo Switch's premium online service won't be arriving this autumn as originally planned, with Nintendo choosing to delay the launch until 2018.

Nintendo broke the news on its official website, but didn't explain why the launch date was being pushed back. 

The service, simply called 'Nintendo Switch Online' at this point, will let players organize and play online multiplayer matches while voice chatting with their friends using a smartphone app. 

A free, trial version of the app will be made available this summer, and will also let players invite friends to play online and set play appointments. 

Beyond that, Switch Online subscribers will get …