Nintendo Chinese eShop to Close Operations by 2026

In a significant development for gamers in China, Tencent has announced that the Nintendo Switch store for the Nintendo Switch will gradually wind down its services starting in 2026. The company revealed that operations would begin to halt on March 31, 2026, when the eShop will stop selling both paid and free games, along with software offerings. Following this date, from May 15, 2026, users will no longer be able to download or redeem codes from the Nintendo Switch shop. Other associated internet services will also be discontinued on the same day.

It’s important to note that these changes will primarily impact consumers who have purchased the official Chinese version of the Nintendo Switch, as many gamers in the country prefer alternate versions of the console that allow connectivity with international systems and even the new Nintendo Switch. Tencent initially collaborated with Nintendo in 2019 to introduce the Switch to the Chinese market, but the upcoming closures may prompt existing users to rethink their gaming options moving forward, especially with the evolving landscape of cloud gaming and online games. As these changes unfold, the gaming landscape in China may see shifts as players adapt to the new realities of online gaming services.