Switch 2 and Switch Consoles Updated to Version 23.5.0 as Nintendo Quietly Re-Introduces eShop Gifting

Switch 2 and Switch Consoles Updated to Version 23.5.0 as Nintendo Quietly Re-Introduces eShop Gifting

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Just in time for the holidays, a new feature will let family group members gift digital games to other members of their group, Nintendo announced, introducing a long-awaited digital gifting system to the Nintendo Switch and the newer Nintendo Switch 2.

Firmware Update 23.5.0 Lays the Groundwork

Nintendo prepared both consoles for the upcoming transition by rolling out system update version 23.5.0. The firmware arrived across the original hardware and its successor, bringing underlying support for the eShop feature ahead of its activation. While the US schedule points to a launch on November 16, Japanese announcements state that the new feature will be available on November 17, 2026.

Alongside gifting support, the update brings distinct platform improvements depending on the console. Portuguese (Portugal) has been added to the text-to-speech languages in system settings and to GameChat’s convert text-to-speech option. The original Switch build focuses strictly on gifting compatibility alongside general adjustments and fixes made to improve the user experience.

Family Group Restrictions and eShop Mechanics

Despite opening up digital store shelves for presents, the rollout comes with substantial boundaries. Gifting is strictly restricted to accounts linked within the same Nintendo Account family group, which caps membership at eight total accounts. Furthermore, supervised accounts such as those belonging to children are unable to send digital gifts, and the number of digital gift purchases allowed in a given period is limited.

Switch 2 and Switch Consoles Updated to Version 23.5.0 as Nintendo Quietly Re-Introduces eShop Gifting
Photo: Nintendo Life

Storefront operations follow a clear sequence once the eShop update goes live. Gifts transmit immediately upon purchase completion and appear directly on the recipient’s HOME Menu, where the gift can be selected, accepted, and played right away.

You will be able to gift digital products that you purchase through Nintendo eShop on your device to family group members. This includes eligible games as well as DLC and upgrade packs. As a reminder, anyone with a Nintendo Account can easily set up a family group and add members (up to 8 total).

Nintendo, Official US Announcement

Platform Comparison Across Modern Consoles

The return of storefront gifting marks a major shift for Nintendo’s digital marketplace, reviving a capability absent since the Wii Shop Channel shut down in January 2019.

Switch 2 and Switch Consoles Updated to Version 23.5.0 as Nintendo Quietly Re-Introduces eShop Gifting
Photo: Shane the Gamer

Across the wider console industry, digital gifting availability varies significantly by platform holder. While Steam and many PC platforms have supported the ability to send digital games to friends for at least a decade, on console only Microsoft allows Xbox players to do the same, while PlayStation stores lack native gifting options entirely.

Worth a look

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