The Nintendo Switch eShop has been a topic of much discussion among gamers and developers alike, particularly as we enter the year 2025. While gamers often express their dissatisfaction with how the eShop functions—citing slow load times, clunky navigation, and a plethora of low-quality games—the perspective of developers using the platform is equally disheartening. Recently, IGN conducted an investigation into the woes associated with selling games on the Switch eShop. What emerged was a narrative filled with frustration, uncertainty, and a seemingly lax approach by Nintendo when it comes to quality control.
One of the most alarming revelations from developers interviewed by IGN was the ease with which scam titles can populate the eShop. An anonymous developer described the process as almost trivial, indicating that once a game is approved, it opens the floodgates for questionable titles to follow. This raises serious concerns regarding the integrity of the platform. The developer humorously noted, “I could make ‘Fart Fart Boobie Fart: The Game’ and it might only eventually get taken down.” This statement underscores a much larger issue: dubious titles are not just an occasional mistake; they are symptomatic of a systemic problem where developers can exploit flaws in the review process.
The heartbreaking part is that the developers seem to recognize Nintendo’s leniency as a double-edged sword. While it may seem like an opportunity for indie creators to break into the market, it often leads to a situation where genuine developers have to compete with an abundance of titles that shouldn’t exist in the first place. Instead of a marketplace built around quality and innovation, the eShop can feel almost like a jungle, where low-quality games overshadow more substantial offerings.
Another notable point raised by developers is the unpredictable nature of the approval process. Even as some developers describe how easy it is to get a subpar game onto the eShop, they also note that getting quality titles approved is fraught with challenges. “It’s rough getting games accepted and rougher still getting them removed,” one developer recounted. The arbitrary nature of the approval process appears to create a minefield where developers can face rejection without clear reasoning, feeding into a culture of frustration and confusion.
This lack of transparency creates a climate of anxiety among developers, one that stifles creativity and innovation. A platform should ideally foster an environment where unique and high-quality games can thrive, rather than operate on an index of confusing restrictions and problematic approvals.
The Uneven Playing Field: Contrasting Experiences with Other Platforms
While other platforms such as Sony, Microsoft, and Valve are not without their faults, the developers felt compelled to critique Nintendo’s handling of the eShop more vehemently. The statement “It’s logic-defying how their stores are so bad” encapsulates their frustration. Developers expect more from a company with Nintendo’s heritage and resources.
This perception of a disparate playing field is concerning, suggesting that despite being a leading name in the gaming industry, Nintendo has not adapted its approach to digital distribution in a way that meets the current demands of both gamers and developers. Some developers have seemingly lost faith in Nintendo’s potential to improve. A dismissive tone prevails, asserting that any improvement on the Switch eShop would be marginal at best.
With the eShop facing so many challenges, alternatives are beginning to emerge on the horizon. IGN‘s feature referenced ‘Better eShop,’ a project aimed at improving how games are categorized and discovered. Innovations like this highlight a growing sense of urgency within the community for a more reliable platform—an environment that prioritizes quality over quantity.
The struggles of selling on the Switch eShop echo a broader trend in the gaming industry where quality control and effective marketplace oversight are fundamentally lacking. Developers face a managerial minefield of scams, confusing policies, and poor customer visibility. For the health of the gaming ecosystem at large, it is crucial for Nintendo to embrace reforms that not only uplift quality but also support genuine game creators in this competitive landscape. Only time will tell if such necessary changes will be implemented, but the call for improvement is unmistakably clear.