Nintendo Switch eShop finally gets speed boost after 9 years
▼ Summary
– Nintendo released system update Ver. 22.5.0 for the original Switch, which includes a major eShop rework with a new layout and dark theme support.
– The update replaces the slow browser-based eShop with a local app, making it much faster and similar to the Switch 2’s eShop experience.
– The new eShop app allows users to set PIN codes for accessing the store and using saved payment methods.
– The original eShop had been criticized for years for its sluggish performance, especially as the digital storefront became more crowded.
– The update may lead to an increase in sales on the original Switch’s storefront due to the improved performance.
Nine years after launch, the Nintendo Switch eShop is finally getting the speed boost that players have been demanding. A new system update for the original Switch lineup has dramatically overhauled the digital storefront, bringing it in line with the performance of its successor.
While production of the Switch 2 is reportedly ramping up after surpassing 20 million units sold, Nintendo is clearly not abandoning its predecessor. The latest firmware update, version 22.5.0, introduces a redesigned eShop layout that now supports a “Basic Dark” theme, syncing with the console’s own appearance settings. The patch notes also cite the usual “general system stability improvements,” but the real story is the performance upgrade.
The most significant change is the introduction of a local eShop application, a feature the Switch 2 has enjoyed since its launch last summer. Previously, the original Switch’s eShop operated through a notoriously sluggish browser-based interface. Now, the store runs as a native app, making it substantially faster. Scrolling through massive game libraries is no longer a chore. Bluesky user Daniel Vuckovic posted a clip of the new app in action, and the difference between the old and new performance is immediately apparent. It is a night and day improvement.
Beyond speed, the update adds practical security features. Users can now set PIN codes to restrict access to the eShop itself and to protect saved payment methods. This eliminates the need to type in a password repeatedly and offers parents a simple way to prevent unauthorized purchases by children.
Complaints about the original eShop’s sluggishness have been a constant refrain for years, especially as the digital catalog grew. Personally, during the pre-Switch 2 era, I often abandoned browsing deals simply because the performance was so frustratingly bad. Less patient shoppers likely did the same. With this update, it will be interesting to see if the improved user experience leads to a noticeable uptick in sales on the original Switch’s storefront.
(Source: Eurogamer.net)
