Three countries are finally getting access to the Nintendo eShop.
Nintendo has officially announced that it’s kicking off Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch Online services in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand on 18 November. These services will be available to both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 players, allowing them to finally access online services without connecting their accounts to different regions.
Nintendo begins Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch Online services in select SEA regions
After years of the Nintendo eShop being inaccessible to Nintendo Switch console owners in Southeast Asia, Nintendo is finally bringing the service online in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. The decision follows an earlier announcement from Nintendo, which stated that it would establish a new entity called Nintendo Singapore Pte. Ltd. with the goal of “accelerating business across Southeast Asia.”
At the time, the company also stated plans to establish another entity in Thailand, suggesting that it was getting serious about expanding into Southeast Asia. The effects of this decision have been felt much earlier that some might have expected, with both the Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch Online services coming online in select Southeast Asia regions as early as next month.
Console owners can use the Nintendo eShop to purchase and download video games, or check out the Nintendo Switch Online membership. Among other things, the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service offers access to online multiplayer, a swathe of retro games, and Save Data Cloud.
An Expansion Pack for the membership also adds access to even more retro games, and free DLC packs for games like Animal Crossing: New Horizon and Splatoon 2. The Expansion Pack also includes Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade Packs for games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Nintendo has also confirmed that it’s “working” to begin services for the Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch Online in the Philippines, though a launch window has yet to be finalised.
