Nintendo Switch 2 eShop Revamps Guidelines to Tackle Spam and Improve Quality

Nintendo has made a quiet but significant shift in its publishing guidelines for the Nintendo Switch 2 eShop in Asia, aiming to clean up the platform and curb the ongoing flood of low-effort ‘slop’ games that have caused frustration among users.

The update, which came into effect on June 5 (coinciding with the Switch 2’s launch), seeks to address the growing issue of spammy games that clutter the eShop, many of which feature questionable content and poorly executed game mechanics.

Earlier reports had highlighted a rising trend of ‘slop’ games crowding storefronts, especially on the Nintendo eShop and PlayStation Store. These games were often published by obscure companies, with limited or no information, low-quality assets, and repetitive gameplay. Many also included misleading descriptions and AI-generated art that didn’t match the game content. Notably, some were centered around adult material, further tainting the user experience.

New guidelines have been introduced to combat these issues. One notable change restricts game bundles. In the first year after a game’s release, only five bundles can be sold. After that, the number of allowed bundles increases by one each year, capping at eight. This policy aims to reduce the practice of ‘bundle spam,’ where developers flood the market with discounts to artificially inflate their game’s visibility.

Another major revision addresses sensitive content. The guidelines outline explicit restrictions, prohibiting content that could harm Nintendo’s brand, such as child sexualization, excessive violence, exploitation of sensitive topics, and political content. These policies help create a safer, more respectful environment for players while maintaining Nintendo’s family-friendly reputation.

The guidelines also focus on improving the quality of game descriptions. Developers are now prohibited from providing inaccurate descriptions or listing features that aren’t present in the game. Additionally, drastic changes to a game’s title are banned unless there’s a valid reason. There are also stricter rules around product page updates after launch, which aim to prevent misleading changes after a game has been released.

In line with these changes, some developers have reported that certain problematic titles, such as the ‘Hentai Girls’ series, have been removed or rebranded on the Switch 2 eShop. The games, which were notorious for their adult content, have been rebranded as ‘Kawaii Girls’ and now appear only when searched by name, suggesting a stronger push to prevent adult-themed content from appearing prominently in the store.

Despite the improvements, opinions on the new guidelines are mixed. Some developers welcome the changes, hoping they will make it easier for quality games to stand out. However, others are skeptical, pointing out that Nintendo’s focus on limiting bundles and sensitive content doesn’t address the core issue of poor discoverability for indie games. ‘Nintendo’s eShop algorithm still buries good indie titles,’ one developer said. ‘The visibility situation on Steam is better, and you actually get a chance to be seen if you’re an indie developer with a new release.’

There’s also concern that the stricter regulations could harm legitimate games that tackle serious or mature themes. One developer pointed out that games like ‘The House in Fata Morgana,’ which explore sensitive topics, could fall victim to these new rules even if they handle mature content responsibly.

While some improvements are evident on the Nintendo Switch 2 eShop in the U.S. version, where the browsing experience feels more tailored to user interests, the system still struggles with finding hidden gems. ‘It’s still tough for lesser-known games to break through, especially with so many cheap, low-quality releases,’ another developer said. As for now, the industry waits to see if these changes will be enough to clean up the mess created by low-effort games and spammers flooding the digital storefronts.