Nintendo Cuts Foreign Payments on Japanese eShop: What It Means

Nintendo is making it more challenging for foreign players to access games from the Japanese eShop by prohibiting credit cards and PayPal accounts from outside Japan starting January 25, 2025. This decision aims to combat fraudulent activities and will particularly affect Western gamers who traditionally created regional accounts to purchase titles at lower prices or to access exclusives. Notorious Japan-only titles like Nobunaga’s Ambition and Mother 3 will no longer be available for direct download via the eShop, although using physical cartridges will still be possible since the Nintendo Switch is not region-locked. The upcoming focus on the Switch 2 is also noted, along with implications for digital imports.

The changes will restrict international players from purchasing digital games directly from the Japanese eShop, complicating access to exclusive titles that can only be found there. Although physical cartridges remain usable, download-only titles will be unavailable for foreign buyers, making it harder to access Japan-exclusive content.

The Nintendo Switch, launched in March 2017, has become a global phenomenon, known for its hybrid console design that blends handheld and home gaming. Japan has consistently had exclusive titles that hold significant nostalgia and appeal for gamers worldwide, such as Mother 3, which has been long requested for wider release outside Japan. With the anticipation of the Switch 2, Nintendo aims to focus on enhancing the gaming experience while addressing issues related to digital transactions.