The Nintendo Switch eShop has received a significant upgrade, ahead of the anticipated release of the Nintendo Switch 2. This update aims to improve the digital storefront for both upcoming Switch 2 users and those sticking with their current Switch, Switch Lite, or Switch OLED consoles.
Since the Nintendo Switch’s launch in 2017, the eShop has often been criticized for its lack of updates, leaving it far behind its competitors, the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store, in terms of functionality. One of the key changes introduced is an overhaul to the way the eShop charts work.
The new system aims to reduce the prominence of “shovelware” and low-quality games that were previously able to game the system. Developers of these games would price them extremely low to attract buyers, thus artificially boosting their chart positions and promoting these games.
To address this, Nintendo has altered the calculation method for the best-selling charts. Instead of tracking copies sold over the past 48 hours, it now uses revenue from the last 72 hours.
This means a $20 game will need to sell more than four times as many copies as a $80 game to reach the top of the charts. While this change should minimize the impact of low-quality games, it’s still unclear if it will completely solve the issue.
Overall, this update is a much-needed improvement to the Nintendo eShop, restoring more order to the charts and making the storefront easier to navigate. It remains to be seen if these changes will have long-term success, but for now, it’s a step in the right direction.