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Nintendo has officially flipped the switch and turned on the Nintendo Switch 2 eShop just one day before the release of the brand-new console.
While many gamers don’t have access to their new Nintendo Switch 2 console until tomorrow, the device’s actual release date, Nintendo has turned on the eShop servers ready for the console’s launch. However, those who do have access to the console prior to release should now be able to actually use their device.
Nintendo Switch 2 eShop goes live
In an email to press, publishers confirm that the new console’s digital marketplace is officially live as of Wednesday 4th June 14:00 CEST / 13:00 BST. Press and anyone with early access to the new Nintendo console should now be able to redeem codes—such as the Mario Kart World bundle code—and any other digital purchases.
However, despite the eShop now being live, the majority of games will not be playable for gamers without early access to specific titles. With the actual release date of digital games still being June 5, 2025, the eShop will only be available for pre-orders and pre-downloads until the console’s actual launch tomorrow.
Nevertheless, for those with the new Nintendo Switch 2 console, the device should at least be usable. At the time of writing, gamers with access to the console before release have been unable to play any games, including physical OG Nintendo Switch cartridges, as the console requires an update.
While there’s not that many first-party offerings outside of Mario Kart World, the Nintendo Switch 2 launch does have a host of killer third-party ports to the console. On launch day, Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition brings the epic RPG and its expansion to Switch 2 with motion controls, mouse controls and VRR support with the best use of DLSS on the system yet. Additionally, new versions of Hogwarts Legacy, Hitman and more are coming to the system.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to be the biggest console launch of all time when it finally releases tomorrow. Predicted to crush the sales of launch-day PS5, the console’s virtual marketplace will likely be hammered when the console is actually in millions of gamers hands. Nevertheless, it is now live!
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