Nintendo Switch's online services are shutting down in China in May 2026, with affected players getting four free games as compensation.

Nintendo Switch eShop in China closing on March 31, 2026: no new game purchases after that date. Nintendo partnered with Tencent for China release due to region locks and approval of games in the market. Digital games trend increasing globally: potential for future worldwide eShop shutdown.

Nintendo will shut down the Switch eShop and all other online services in China by 2026. An official announcement from Tencent, which handles Nintendo's sales in China, gives a timeframe of March 31st, 2026, to May 15th, 2016. After this period, Nintendo Switch owners in China cannot download any games, DLC, or redeem codes.

Tencent Nintendo Switch said on Tuesday that the Chinese eShop and other online services for the Nintendo Switch will gradually cease operations starting in 2026. According to the statement, the Chinese eShop will stop selling or offering paid and free games and software on March 31,

Nintendo will close its Switch eShop and all network services in China in 2026. After 31st March 2026, the digital store will no longer sell games, plus free trials will no longer be available. Then, from 15th May 2026, Nintendo will stop all download and code redemption services, meaning DLC will no longer be redeemable.

On March 31, 2026, the Chinese Nintendo eShop will stop selling games and any other software. After this date, all software, including paid and free titles, will no longer be available to purchase or claim. On May 15, 2026, players will no longer be able to download titles or redeem codes. DLC will also become unavailable at this time.

Nintendo has announced that it will close the Nintendo Switch eShop in China and other related online services in 2026.

Nintendo has announced that it's closing the Switch eShop, as well as all network services for the console, in 2026, but only in China.