Summary
Nintendois rolling out a major change to the Japanese version of the Switch’s eShop, with the online storefront no longer accepting foreign payments. Nintendo’s predominant online storefront has taken a variety of different forms throughout the years as the developer has tuned and relaunched different versions of the eShop across its different consoles. The popular storefront has been no stranger to controversy throughout the years, ranging from lack of curation of its game library tocopycats of popular games likeUnpacking. Now, accessing the Japanese version of the storefront has just become significantly more difficult.
Nintendo Blocking Foreign Payments on Switch EShop
As reported by IGN, Nintendo has recently rolled out a major new update to the Japanese version of the Switch eShop. Following the change, the Japanese eShop will no longer accept payments from credit cards or PayPal accounts “issued overseas” when buying games through the digital storefront. Nintendo cited “fraudulent use” as one of the driving reasons behind the company’s decision tolimit access to the Japanese eShop. The shift in policy will not affect any pre-existing purchases, with fans still able to play physical and downloaded Japanese-only games on foreign Switch consoles.
The newly-pushed change to the Japanese eShop will make acquiring Japan-exclusive games significantly harder for many Nintendo fans. The Japanese eShop boasts a plethora of exclusive titles, ranging from a remaster of the firstYo-Kai Watchto a compilation of the first twoDragon Quest Heroesgames. Nintendo Switch Online also features several retro titles exclusive to the Japanese version, including the elusiveMother 3and theNES and SNESFire Emblemgames. The payment change will reportedly not be implemented on other versions of the Switch eShop.
The Switch eShop change comes as Nintendo has begun to build hype among fans for its highly-anticipated new console.Nintendo officially unveiled the Switch 2earlier this month to massive excitement, showing off the newly re-designed JoyCons and the console’s larger build. The trailer also teased one of the first games expected to release for the console, showing off gameplay of what is expected to beMario Kart 9. Nintendo’s new change to the eShop will make accessing Japanese titles more difficult while the developer gears up for its next big launch.
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid portable and home console that aims to be the only gaming system anyone needs. The hybrid controller is an undisputed success because it provides a high degree of portable visual quality and converts easily into a home console.
