Nintendo Switch online services shutting down for millions of players

It’s no surprise really that Nintendo isn’t in a rush to move on from the Nintendo Switch.

After all, it’s the company’s second best-selling console of all-time, sitting only behind the Nintendo DS.

In fact, it’s the third best-selling console across the industry, with only the PlayStation 2 outselling the DS and Switch.

As such, Nintendo will have taken its time planning what’s coming next as there’s going to be high expectations when it comes to the Switch’s successor.

A reveal is due by the end of the fiscal year so by April 2025, although nothing concrete has been confirmed beyond that - other than the rumour mill suggesting a January reveal.

Despite the Nintendo Switch’s colossal success though, there are territories in which the console simply hasn’t taken off, believe it or not.

One of those territories is China where Nintendo will soon be shutting down its eShop and online services.

Pokémon Legends Z-A launches on the Nintendo Switch next year.

As reported by VGC, the Chinese Nintendo eShop will close its virtual doors on 31 March 2026 meaning that after this point, no games will be available for purchase digitally.

The next major date to mark down is 15 May 2026 as from this point, Chinese players will be unable to redeem codes or download games not already on their consoles.

It was only in late 2019 that the Nintendo Switch actually launched in China, doing so with only one first-party game, Super Smash Bros Ultimate.

Since then, various other titles have been localised for the market where the console is sold in collaboration with Tencent, but it hasn’t been enough to really get the Nintendo Switch off the ground.

There is somewhat of a consolation offer though.

Between 27 November 2024, i.e. today, and 31 March 2026, China-based Nintendo Switch owners can nab up to four free games if they have an active WeChat account linked with their device.

The available games are as follows: New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe, Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Party, Mario Tennis Aces, Yoshi’s Crafted World, Flexible Brain School, Dr Kawashima’s Brain Exercises, Kirby Star Allies, New Pokémon Snap, Pokémon Go! Pikachu, and Pokémon Let’s Go! Eevee.

It’s a pretty decent selection to choose from.

As I said, you can choose up to four games per account. If you have multiple Switch consoles using the same WeChat account, it’ll still only work once.