Offline gaming on the Switch will remain unaffected, though Nintendo’s focus seems to be shifting toward its next-generation console.

The Chinese version of the Nintendo Switch eShop and other network-related services will begin phasing out on March 31, 2026, according to an announcement released on November 27 by Nintendo. To compensate affected users, a rewards program will be launched, allowing anyone who purchased the official Chinese version of the Switch to claim up to four free games or software titles.

The eShop will cease download, redemption, and other online services at 10:00 p.m. on May 15, 2026, as outlined in the announcement timeline. Nintendo emphasized that the change will not affect the sale or after-sales service of consoles, accessories, and physical game cartridges, nor the use of offline games or local multiplayer features built into specific games.

For many users, the announcement came as a surprise. Coupled with earlier reports about changes in the official service provider for the Switch in China earlier this year, speculation about the console’s future has been circulating for months.

Sources speaking exclusively to 36Kr attributed the operational adjustments to the discontinuation of network services, which encompass essential features like eShop data verification. These services have long been managed by a network service provider that acted as a bridge between Nintendo’s global operations and the Switch’s China platform. However, recent developments in the provider’s business in China have rendered it unable to continue in this role. Without the option to transfer these responsibilities to a new third-party provider, Tencent, which oversees Switch operations in China, had to implement the adjustments.

36Kr reached out to Tencent for comment, but had not received a response by the time of publication.

The China version of the Switch debuted in late 2019, with Tencent revealing in its March 2021 financial report that the console had sold over 1 million units. While official sales figures have not been updated since then, the device has remained a significant part of China’s console gaming market in recent years.

According to data from the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA), the console has received 68 game licenses since launch, compared to the 34 and 8 licenses approved for the Chinese versions of Sony’s PS4 and PS5 and Microsoft’s Xbox platforms, respectively. These figures underscore the proactive efforts of Tencent and Nintendo in this space.

“Although China’s console market is relatively small, it has made notable progress in recent years thanks to various stakeholders,” a domestic developer told 36Kr. “The Switch, in particular, is the only console platform to surpass 1 million sales officially. It’s regrettable that this change is happening now, especially as the market has shown signs of recovery.”

Despite the service discontinuation, the majority of Switch games are offline or support local multiplayer modes, minimizing the impact on many players’ experiences. Additionally, the compensation program offering up to four free games or software titles—estimated to be worth over RMB 1,000 (USD 140)—is expected to soften the blow for affected users.

As the Switch approaches the end of its lifecycle, Nintendo has confirmed plans to unveil its successor by the end of the 2024 fiscal year, around March 31, 2025. This transition may partially explain the adjustments to the current platform.

“Nintendo has high standards for developers and service providers. If rumors are accurate, finding a third-party provider that meets its criteria would require significant resources,” the source said. “But with the Switch no longer being the company’s primary focus, it’s understandable that priorities are shifting.”

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