According to the official announcement on Nintendo’s website on Tuesday, the company will cease operations between March 31st and May 15th, 2026. In 2019, Tencent partnered with Nintendo to start selling Switch consoles in China.
Nintendo announced on November 26 that it would cease operations in China in 2026. The company did not cite any reasons behind the decision. However, the decision notably follows the Chinese government’s new video game time policy.
Nintendo announces discontinuation of online services in 2026
Nintendo Switch announced that, amid its discontinuation plans, it would launch an appreciation plan for its customers due to their continued support. In the announcement, the company outlined the details of the service adjustment.
Nintendo Switch eShop and online services are ending in China on March 31, 2026 (no downloads will be available after May 15, 2026)
Starting tomorrow, players who own a Chinese Nintendo Switch that have an active WeChat account associated with it will receive up to 4 Nintendo… pic.twitter.com/NlR0Huc9o2
— Nintendeal (@Nintendeal) November 26, 2024
The gaming company specified the timelines for discontinuing the Nintendo e-shop as 22:00 local time on March 31, 2026. On that day, the company highlighted that tool software and game sales, including free trials, would stop in the state. Nintendo added that on May 15, 2026, download services and code redemption would also cease.
The gaming company noted that all other online-related services would also stop functioning on May 15, 2026, at 22:00. In the announcement, the company revealed the list of games, tools, and unaffected system services.
Nintendo also assured its customers that any future changes to the mentioned schedules would be announced on the official channels. The gaming giant specified that the channel would be Tencent’s official Nintendo Switch account on WeChat.
Nintendo outlines its “appreciation plan” details amid discontinuation plans
Nintendo stated that to express its gratitude to its customers, it would have an appreciation plan for all Chinese Nintendo Switch gamers. It highlighted the plan eligibility period would run between November 27, 2024, at 10:00 and March 31, 2026, at 22:00.
The company stated that anyone who owns an activated official Chinese Nintendo Switch console would be eligible for the appreciation plan. The company specified that the consoles had to be used in compliance with the terms of use of the Nintendo Switch.
It noted that these users could claim four free downloadable Nintendo games or software redemption codes. However, it noted that to access the plan, customers would have to use the WeChat account linked to the console.
Nintendo also outlined how customers would participate in the appreciation plan. It highlighted that gamers could log in to the “game redemption” WeChat mini program using a WeChat account linked to the console.
The company highlighted that an eligible console could only be linked to one WeChat account to access the plan. Once verified, other accounts cannot be used on the console. Nintendo added that gamers could choose when to redeem their four games or tools.
It added that partial redemption would be allowed. However, the company noted that unclaimed redemptions would expire in early March.
Nintendo also issued a warning to its users, especially those using pre-owned consoles. It highlighted the plan would apply to gamers who purchased the official Chinese console version. The gaming company added that pre-owned consoles may be linked to other accounts, so they are not eligible.
Nintendo noted that selected tools and games would be accessible as redemption codes through the company’s mini-program.
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