Tencent to cease online services for Chinese version of Nintendo Switch by March 2026

Tencent on Tuesday announced plans to close all online services in China for Nintendo Switch by March 2026, without saying why. As compensation, all China version Nintendo Switch users can receive up to four other games for free. The Chinese version of the Nintendo Switch eShop will be shutting down services including downloads and redemption, but keeping sales (consoles, accessories, and game cartridges), after-sales support, single-player game use, and local multiplayer services.

The Chinese version of Nintendo Switch launched in late 2019, with sales surpassing one million units in March 2021, according to Tencent. No official sales figures have been issued since then. [ Tencent announcement, in Chinese ] Related.