By 2026, millions of gamers in China will lose access to Nintendo Switch Online services. Tencent, the official distributor of the Nintendo Switch in China since 2019, has been announced plans to phase out these services. This decision is expected to have a major impact on the gaming community in the region.
History of Nintendo and Tencent Collaboration
Nintendo and Tencent's partnership began in 2019, with Tencent distributing the Nintendo Switch in China. The console gained huge popularity in the local market, making Nintendo the video game market leader in the country.
Obstacles such as region lock which limits games to only Chinese regulator-approved titles has not hindered the Nintendo Switch's success in the region.
Stages of Online Switch Service Termination
Tencent announced the Switch Online service discontinuation schedule as follows:
March 31, 2026
- Nintendo eShop in China will stop selling games and software.
- Nintendo Switch Online's free trial period is coming to an end.
May 15, 2026
- Download code redemption will be discontinued.
- Game and software downloads are no longer available.
After May 15, 2026
- All Nintendo Switch online services, including multiplayer, will be completely discontinued.
This stage gives users time to utilize the service before a complete shutdown.
Impact on Gamers in China
The shutdown means that millions of Nintendo Switch users in China will lose access to features such as online multiplayer, software updates, and new game downloads. This is a big challenge for the gaming community that has been enjoying the experience through Nintendo's online services.
Compensation for Users
To lessen the impact of the shutdown, Tencent is offering compensation in the form of 4 free games. Owners of Switch consoles activated in China can redeem codes via WeChat account from November 27, 2024 to March 31, 2026.
Game titles offered include:
- Super Mario Odyssey
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Pokemon Let's Go! Eevee
- Another popular Nintendo game.
Speculation About the Nintendo Switch Successor
Amidst this news, rumors about a successor to the Nintendo Switch have intensified. Nintendo is expected to announce a new console before the end of March 2025, corresponding to their fiscal year. This console, while called Switch 2, is expected to offer new innovations with featured games that support the platform.
The discontinuation of Switch Online services in China in 2026 will affect many gamers in the region. Although there is compensation in the form of free games, losing this access remains a big challenge. Meanwhile, the global community is looking forward to a successor to the Nintendo Switch that is expected to bring a more innovative gaming experience.
Source: Game Rant
