Nintendo’s reasoning seems clear: they don’t want Switch 2 to fall into the same “slop fest” problem the first eShop experienced, where low-effort or copycat games crowded the store. They’re being selective about who can release games, ensuring quality and protecting the platform’s reputation right from the start. Essentially, devs can prep and optimize their titles, but the gatekeeping remains tight until Nintendo signs off.
It sounds like Nintendo is taking a much firmer hand with the Nintendo Switch 2 eShop compared to the original Switch. New Blood Interactive’s Dave Oshry highlights that while they’ve got the dev kits and can get games like Dusk running smoothly, the publisher is still waiting on Nintendo’s formal approval to launch.