Nintendo Switch 2 Guidelines Attempt to Limit Bad Games on the eShop

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As a devoted gamer, it’s no surprise to me that the Nintendo Switch eShop is jam-packed with games that aren’t exactly top-notch. I get that quality can be subjective, but the real issue lies in the abundance of copycat games and spam clogging up the digital marketplace for years now. It seems like Nintendo has finally recognized this problem and is making strides to improve things for the upcoming Switch 2 generation. Following a report from IGN, it appears that some developers have recently unveiled new guidelines, which were introduced last month, around the same time as the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2.

It appears Nintendo is tightening up their rules to prevent fraudulent and excessive games from dominating their digital store, the eShop. They’re taking away certain tools that developers and publishers have utilized to boost low-quality or spammy games, which were frequently showcased during sales, overshadowing legitimate titles. Many users have noticed this issue on the eShop during promotions, as the search results would often display questionable games before well-known publisher’s offerings.

According to IGN’s report, the updated guidelines aim to combat misleading game descriptions, limit multiple-game bundles, and tighten restrictions on “sensitive content.” This might stir memories of intense censorship seen with the original Mortal Kombat on the SNES for Nintendo enthusiasts. However, these changes don’t seem to affect major AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077. Instead, it seems that the focus is on preventing games that exploit controversial social issues, tragedies, or disasters. Notably, Nintendo is now restricting developers from altering game names and descriptions.

In simple terms, developers have been transparent about the frequent issues found on the eShop. As early as December, the creators of the game ‘Unpacking’, Witch Beam, disclosed that a counterfeit version on Nintendo Switch was violating their intellectual property rights. The makers of the fake game had also launched multiple bundles, which made it challenging for casual buyers to distinguish the authentic game. It appears that Nintendo is addressing this issue diligently, as their updated guidelines hint towards increased efforts to prevent such occurrences in the future, specifically during the era of Switch 2.

We can expect these updates to significantly enhance the quality of the eShop. However, it remains uncertain whether Nintendo will strictly adhere to these new regulations. Nevertheless, the eShop on the upcoming Switch 2 appears more refined compared to its predecessor. The reduction in spam games and counterfeits in search results is a positive development, as is the improved performance of the platform itself. These minor adjustments contribute significantly to making a new gaming system more pleasant to use, and we’ll soon discover whether Nintendo can leverage this chance to streamline things for both users and developers.

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2025-07-15 00:09