Nintendo switch gets a subtle upgrade: eshop overhaul & accessibility boost

Nintendo has quietly rolled out firmware update 22.0.5 for both the original Switch and the Switch 2, a move that, while seemingly minor, delivers a surprisingly useful collection of enhancements – particularly for those navigating the increasingly crowded eShop.

A much-needed eshop facelift

The aging Nintendo eShop has long felt… cramped. With a seemingly endless tide of downloadable titles, finding that hidden gem could feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. That's where the redesign comes in. Nintendo's tweaked the layout, aiming for improved clarity and ease of navigation. A welcome addition is the eShop’s newfound ability to reflect your system’s dark mode theme color; a small detail, but one that significantly improves visual consistency. And for parents (or anyone prone to impulsive digital purchases), a user-verification PIN now safeguards against unauthorized spending sprees.

But the improvements extend beyond aesthetics. The ability to skip forward or backward ten seconds when previewing trailers, both in the eShop and the Switch’s News section, is a genuinely practical addition. No more enduring minutes of exposition just to see a fleeting glimpse of gameplay.

Accessibility gains and upcoming releases

Beyond the core console experience, Nintendo has also expanded accessibility options. The Switch 2 now supports Dutch and Russian for both Text-to-Speech functionality and the “Change Speech ⇔ Text During GameChat” feature. A subtle but significant move toward inclusivity.

While these updates address user experience, Nintendo is also looking ahead. Last week’s Nintendo Direct revealed a tantalizing glimpse into 2026, showcasing titles like Star Fox (June 25th), Rhythm Heaven Groove (July 2nd), Splatoon Raiders (July 23rd), Fire Emblem Fortune’s Weave (September 17th), and Nintendo Switch Sports: Resort (October 22nd). And, of course, the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a project shrouded in mystery, is slated for release before the year's end. The breadth of upcoming exclusives speaks to Nintendo’s continued commitment to delivering compelling first-party experiences – a strategy that has served them remarkably well.

The full patch notes, for the technically inclined, are as follows:

Nintendo Switch 2 - Version 22.5.0 (Released 15th June 2026)
Added Dutch and Russian to “Text to Speech” languages in Accessibility.
Added Dutch and Russian as languages for “Change Speech ⇔ Text During GameChat” in Accessibility.
General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience.

Nintendo Switch - Version 22.5.0 (Released 15th June 2026)
The Nintendo eShop layout has been redesigned.
The Nintendo eShop color will now reflect the theme color if your theme in System Settings is set to “Basic Dark.”
User-Verification PIN can now be used to confirm when “Accessing Nintendo eShop” and “Using Saved Payment Methods.”
Added the ability to rewind 10 seconds/advance 10 seconds with the ZL and ZR Buttons when watching a full screen video in News or Nintendo eShop.
General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience.