Nintendo’s Shocking Switch eShop Update: Foreign Payments Blocked!

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Summary

  • Nintendo is making a major change to the Japanese version of the Switch eShop, blocking payments from foreign accounts on the platform.
  • Nintendo cited the change as being intended to stop “fraudulent use,” with fans no longer able to use foreign credit cards or PayPal accounts.
  • The change comes shortly after Nintendo dropped the highly-anticipated reveal trailer for the Switch 2, potentially teasing Mario Kart 9 as well.

Nintendo is making a significant shift in the Japanese version of the Switch’s eShop, as it will no longer accept foreign transactions. Over time, this online marketplace has evolved and been revamped by Nintendo for various consoles, adopting different forms. The eShop has encountered its fair share of issues over the years, such as insufficient curation of games or replicas of popular titles like “Unpacking”. Now, acquiring access to the Japanese version of this storefront has become considerably more challenging.

It’s generally the case that newly created Nintendo Switch accounts are set to the player’s local region. Yet, users have found it straightforward to establish a Japanese account. To do this, they create a Nintendo account on their computer, specify Japan as their home region, and then link this account with their Switch. This allows them to access the overseas shop. Many enthusiasts have been attracted to the Japanese eShop since its launch due to an abundance of games that were never released overseas. However, Nintendo has recently made it harder for players to get hold of these Japan-exclusive games.

Nintendo Blocking Foreign Payments on Switch EShop

According to IGN, Nintendo has just implemented a significant update on the Japanese version of the Nintendo Switch eShop. From now on, the Japanese eShop won’t accept payments made from credit cards or PayPal accounts that were issued outside Japan for game purchases through the digital storefront. The reason behind this change is to combat fraudulent activity, as stated by Nintendo. This new policy doesn’t impact any previous purchases, meaning foreign Switch users can still enjoy playing Japanese-exclusive games on their consoles, whether they are physical or digital copies.

As a passionate Nintendo fan, I’ve got some disappointing news to share about the Japanese eShop. The recent update has made it challenging for many gamers like me to get our hands on exclusive Japan-released games. This digital marketplace is a treasure trove of unique titles, from the remastered first Yo-Kai Watch to the compilation of the initial two Dragon Quest Heroes games.

The Nintendo Switch Online subscription service also offers several retro titles that are exclusive to the Japanese version, such as the hard-to-find Mother 3 and the NES and SNES Fire Emblem games. Unfortunately, it seems this payment change won’t affect other versions of the Switch eShop. It’s a bittersweet pill for us fans to swallow.

The update on the Nintendo eShop arises as the tech giant stirs enthusiasm among gamers, anticipating the arrival of its upcoming console. Just this month, Nintendo unveiled the long-awaited Switch 2, revealing a revamped JoyCon design and a larger console body. The trailer also hinted at one of the initial games slated for release, showcasing gameplay that appears to be from what might be called Mario Kart 9. In preparation for its next major unveiling, Nintendo is making it harder to access Japanese titles on their eShop.

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2025-01-30 19:15