A new rumor gained significant traction as it provided a more concrete release timeline for the Nintendo Switch 2.

Nintendo has announced it will close the Switch eShop and discontinue online services in China in 2026. As compensation, Nintendo will offer Chinese players the opportunity to redeem up to four free games in the eShop before its permanent closure.

Nintendo Switch is halting its eShop operations and other online services in China in the upcoming year. In 2019, Tencent partnered with Nintendo to start selling Switch consoles in China. According to the official announcement on Nintendo’s website on Tuesday,

Nintendo (OTCPK:NTDOF) plans to shut down its online services for the Switch console in China from 2026, according to a post on a WeChat account operated by its game publishing partner Tencent. The post said Nintendo’s e-store will suspend sales of games and software from March 31,