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Jun 18, 20261
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Nintendo Switch Original Model Gets Revamped eShop with Native App, Faster Performance
Nintendo's original Switch eShop received a major performance upgrade on June 16, 2026, with system software version 22.5.0 replacing its slow web browser interface with a fast native app. The update also adds dark mode and PIN-based security for purchases. The Switch 2 got a smaller update on the same day, adding only accessibility language support.




Quick Facts
Who
Nintendo
What
Released system software version 22.5.0 for original Nintendo Switch
When
June 16, 2026
Where
Global (Nintendo Switch ecosystem)
- Released system software version 22.5.0 for original Nintendo Switch
- Replaced web browser-based eShop with native app
- Added dark mode for eShop
- Implemented PIN code security for purchases
- Improved eShop performance significantly
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.
Topics
Why This Matters
For Switch owners who have endured the sluggish eShop experience since 2017, this update finally delivers a native app that drastically reduces load times and improves navigation. It also adds meaningful security with PIN-based purchase protection, addressing a long-standing concern for households sharing consoles. This move signals Nintendo's ongoing investment in the original Switch even late in its lifecycle, potentially extending its usability for years to come.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 16, 2026
WireNintendo releases system software version 22.5.0 for original Switch, revamping eShop with native app, dark mode, and PIN security
Jun 16, 2026
WireNintendo also releases firmware 22.5.0 for Switch 2, adding accessibility language support only