NINTENDO’S latest console, the Switch, has been one of the company’s best-selling with huge popularity around the world.
One of the biggest gaming markets is China, with a population of over a billion people, and the country’s affinity for tech, it makes sense to launch games there.
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However, China also has some of the strictest policies when it comes to what can be released there, making some launches more difficult.
While the Nintendo Switch launched in most regions in 2017, the release was delayed in China until 2020.
This is because the Japanese company needed to partner with a firm in China, which for the Switch was game publishing giant Tencent.
However, Nintendo and Tencent have recently announced that Switch eShop functions will cease to work in China in just a few years.
The eShop will stop download and redemption services on March 15, 2026, and sales and other online services will end on March 31, 2026.
It’s unclear what the reason for the shutdown is, but there is speculation over why circumstances could have changed.
Nintendo might have ended its partnership with Tencent, or be looking for another Chinese company to work with on the Switch 2 release.
It’s not all doom and gloom for Chinese Switch players, as Nintendo and Tencent are giving away four free first-party games for players.
Those who connect their Switch to their WeChat account can redeem four games from a long list of Nintendo titles.
Here are the games you can choose from:
- 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 Let’s Go! Pikachu
- Pokémon Let’s Go! Eevee
Mario Party
While the Nintendo Switch eShop is closing down in China, it’s likely due to partnership agreements and not general plans from Nintendo.
If you are a Switch player in another region of the world, I wouldn’t be concerned about an eShop shutdown anytime soon.
If you want to read more about the Switch, check out the latest games on Nintendo Switch Online.
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