Nintendo Switch Original Model Gets Revamped eShop with Native App, Faster Performance

In a significant update rolled out on June 16, 2026, the original Nintendo Switch received a system software upgrade to version 22.5.0, bringing a major overhaul to the Nintendo eShop. The update replaces the previous web browser-based interface with a fully native application, resulting in notably faster and smoother navigation. Users who had long complained about sluggish performance now report a much-improved experience, with some comparing the speed to that of the Switch 2's eShop.

Alongside performance gains, the update introduces a dark mode that activates when the console's theme is set to "Basic Black." Additionally, a new security feature allows users to set a PIN code for accessing the eShop or using saved payment methods, helping prevent unauthorized purchases by children or other users. Nintendo officially announced a design refresh for the eShop but did not detail the underlying technical changes.

Independent analyses, including a report from games media outlet VGC, confirm that the old eShop operated as a separate web browser within the Switch, forcing users to browse a slow-moving website. The new native app eliminates this inefficiency, making system theme support and enhanced speed possible. The same day, the Switch 2 also received a firmware update to version 22.5.0, but its eShop, already a native app, only gained expanded accessibility language support.

The update signals Nintendo's continued commitment to improving the user experience for the original Switch, even as the console nears the later stages of its lifecycle. Observers suggest further enhancements may follow.