Tencent has announced it will be ending all Nintendo Switch Online services
in China by 2026, leaving millions of Chinese gamers without access to the
platform. This shutdown will unfold in several phases, ultimately impacting
users across the country.
Since 2019, Tencent has been responsible for distributing the Nintendo Switch
in China, marking a successful collaboration. Despite the region's strict game
approval process and the console's region locks, the Nintendo Switch became
popular in China, with Nintendo briefly leading the video game market there.
In its official announcement, Tencent revealed its plans to cease all
Nintendo Switch Online operations in China by 2026. The shutdown will begin on
March 31, 2026, when the Chinese Nintendo eShop will stop selling games and
software. From that point, free trials for Nintendo Switch Online will no longer
be available. However, redemption codes will remain functional until May 15,
2026, at which time the eShop will also stop all game downloads and other online
services, officially ending Nintendo Switch Online in the region.
Tencent did not specify the reasons behind the shutdown. To soften the blow,
from November 27, 2024, to March 31, 2026, owners of activated Nintendo Switch
consoles in China will be able to redeem four Nintendo games free of charge
using their WeChat accounts. Titles available for redemption include Super Mario
Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Pokemon Let's Go! Eevee, offering players a
selection of popular games to enjoy before the services end.
As for Nintendo's next console, the company has yet to officially announce a
successor to the Switch, but rumors continue to circulate about a potential
release. Nintendo has confirmed plans to reveal the Switch 2 before the end of
the current fiscal year, which concludes in March 2025. Fans are eagerly
awaiting details about the new platform and its game lineup, though much remains
unknown at this time.
