Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch update 22.5.0 brings eShop upgrades, accessibility, and cleaner system features

21 June 2026
Nintendo Switch 2Nintendo Switch
11 min.
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Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch update 22.5.0 brings eShop upgrades, accessibility, and cleaner system features

Summary:

Nintendo has released firmware update version 22.5.0 for Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Nintendo Switch, and this time the patch notes offer more than the familiar stability line. Switch 2 receives useful accessibility additions, with Dutch and Russian now supported for Text to Speech and for the Change Speech ⇔ Text During GameChat feature. That is a meaningful step for players who rely on spoken or transcribed communication, especially because GameChat is one of the major social features built around Nintendo’s newer hardware. Still, the biggest visible changes land on the original Nintendo Switch. The Nintendo eShop has been redesigned, the store can now reflect the Basic Dark system theme, User-Verification PIN support has been expanded for eShop access and saved payment methods, and full screen videos in News or the eShop can now be skipped forward or backward by 10 seconds using ZL and ZR. It’s a small but surprisingly practical batch of changes. After years of the original Switch eShop feeling more like a crowded attic than a polished storefront, this update gives longtime users a cleaner, smoother, and more modern experience. Switch 2 owners get helpful accessibility improvements, while Switch owners get a storefront refresh that has been wanted for a long time.

Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch update 22.5.0 brings more than stability

Nintendo system updates have a certain reputation, don’t they? Players see a new firmware version, open the patch notes, and often find the familiar promise of general stability improvements waiting for them like an old friend who never changes their outfit. Version 22.5.0 is different enough to pay attention to, because both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch receive changes that go beyond the usual background polish. Switch 2 gets language support additions tied to accessibility, while the original Switch receives several visible quality-of-life upgrades, especially around the Nintendo eShop. That balance makes this update more interesting than a routine maintenance release.

The update also shows how Nintendo is still supporting both systems in slightly different ways. Nintendo Switch 2 is the newer platform, so its changes focus on improving communication and accessibility features that are central to the system’s modern identity. The original Switch, meanwhile, gets practical improvements to features many players already use every week. The result is a firmware update that feels split between future-facing accessibility work and long-requested housekeeping. That may not sound glamorous, but for everyday players, these are the kinds of changes that can make the system feel a little less clunky and a little more pleasant to use.

Why the original Switch gets the most noticeable update this time

The original Nintendo Switch is the surprise winner of this firmware release. Switch 2 receives important additions, but the Switch side of version 22.5.0 is where most players will immediately notice something different. The redesigned Nintendo eShop layout is the headline change, and it matters because the storefront has long been one of the system’s most criticized areas. Searching, browsing, and checking trailers could feel slower than expected, especially when compared with the clean experience players expect from a modern digital store. A redesign does not magically solve every storefront frustration, but it can make the daily experience feel fresher and less tiring.

There’s also a nice sense of timing here. The original Switch has been around for years, so many players might not expect notable interface changes at this stage. Yet version 22.5.0 shows that Nintendo can still improve parts of the older system without changing the core experience. It’s a bit like giving a trusted old backpack new zippers and better padding. The bag is still the same one you’ve carried for years, but suddenly it’s easier to use. For players who still rely heavily on the original Switch, that kind of late-life improvement is genuinely welcome.

The redesigned Nintendo eShop gives Switch owners a cleaner storefront

The Nintendo eShop redesign is the most visible change in the original Switch update, and it could make a real difference for players who regularly browse digital games, demos, add-ons, and videos. Storefront design matters more than it might seem at first. A digital store is not just a list of things to buy. It is where players discover games, check discounts, compare editions, watch footage, and decide whether something is worth their time. When that space feels slow or messy, browsing becomes a chore. When it feels cleaner, the whole system feels a little more welcoming.

For longtime Switch owners, the eShop has often felt like a place you enter with good intentions and leave with mild impatience. We’ve all been there, scrolling through endless rows, waiting for pages to load, and wondering whether the store is thinking about life’s big questions before showing the next screen. With version 22.5.0, the redesigned layout suggests Nintendo is trying to make that experience feel more modern. The official notes focus on the layout itself rather than a long list of design details, so the safest takeaway is simple: the store has been visually refreshed, and the Switch eShop should feel more aligned with Nintendo’s current system experience.

Basic Dark support makes the eShop feel more consistent

Another small but pleasing change is that the Nintendo eShop color can now reflect the system theme when the console is set to Basic Dark. That may sound minor, but visual consistency has a way of making a device feel more polished. When players use a dark system theme, jumping into a bright or mismatched storefront can feel like opening the fridge at midnight and getting flashbanged by the vegetable drawer. With this update, the eShop should better match the look players have already chosen in their system settings.

This is the kind of interface improvement that doesn’t need fireworks to matter. Players who prefer darker menus often choose them for comfort, especially during evening play sessions or handheld use in dim rooms. Having the eShop respect that preference makes the store feel less separate from the rest of the console. It also helps the original Switch feel a bit more current, which is valuable now that Switch 2 is part of Nintendo’s hardware family. A more unified look can make the older system feel cared for rather than left behind.

User-Verification PIN support adds another useful security layer

Version 22.5.0 also expands User-Verification PIN support on Nintendo Switch. Players can now use the PIN to confirm when accessing Nintendo eShop and when using saved payment methods. That is a practical addition for households where multiple people use the same console, especially families with children, shared devices, or accounts with payment details already saved. It adds a little extra friction in the right place. Nobody wants surprise purchases, accidental spending, or a curious younger player discovering the checkout flow with the confidence of a tiny accountant.

The important part here is not that the feature makes the system suddenly impenetrable. It is that it gives players another tool to manage access and payment behavior. Digital stores are convenient because purchases can be quick, but that convenience can be a double-edged sword. A PIN confirmation step helps slow things down when it matters. For parents, guardians, or anyone sharing a console, this is the sort of option that can prevent headaches before they happen. It fits neatly with the wider direction of making account and storefront access feel more deliberate.

ZL and ZR video controls make trailers easier to watch

The update also adds the ability to rewind or advance 10 seconds with the ZL and ZR Buttons when watching a full screen video in News or Nintendo eShop. This is one of those features that feels obvious after it exists. Game trailers, update videos, and promotional clips are often watched in quick bursts, and players may want to replay a specific moment, skip past a logo, or check a gameplay detail without restarting the whole video. ZL and ZR support gives players more control without making them dig through awkward on-screen controls.

This is especially useful for anyone who watches trailers closely before buying. Maybe you want to see whether a game’s frame rate looks steady. Maybe you missed a release date at the end of a clip. Maybe you just want to rewatch a boss monster exploding into confetti because, honestly, that’s what trailers are for sometimes. Ten-second skipping is a small change, but it respects how people actually watch videos. It makes the News and eShop video experience feel less rigid and more like the video controls players are used to elsewhere.

Switch 2 adds Dutch and Russian accessibility language support

Nintendo Switch 2 gets a more focused set of changes in version 22.5.0. Dutch and Russian have been added to Text to Speech languages in Accessibility, giving more players access to spoken system support in their preferred language. That matters because accessibility features are not decorative extras. They can determine whether a system feels comfortable, usable, and welcoming. For Dutch and Russian-speaking players who benefit from Text to Speech, this update makes the Switch 2 interface more accommodating and less dependent on workarounds or second-choice languages.

It is also a reminder that accessibility work often grows over time. A system can launch with a foundation, then improve as more languages, options, and use cases are added. The addition of Dutch and Russian does not change the Switch 2 hardware, and it does not add a flashy new game feature, but it can make the console feel far more personal for players who need or prefer those options. In a world where gaming is increasingly social, digital, and menu-heavy, language support can be the difference between feeling included and feeling like the system was made for someone else.

GameChat becomes more useful for Dutch and Russian players

Dutch and Russian have also been added as languages for Change Speech ⇔ Text During GameChat in Accessibility. This is a meaningful addition because GameChat is built around communication, and communication only works well when players can actually understand and participate comfortably. Speech-to-text and text-to-speech features can help players follow conversations, respond more easily, and stay connected during play sessions. Adding more language support makes the feature more useful to more people, which is exactly what a social system feature should aim to do.

For players who use GameChat with friends, family, or online groups, this could make multiplayer sessions feel smoother. Imagine trying to coordinate a tricky boss fight or a chaotic race while also fighting the interface. Nobody needs that extra boss battle. Better language support can reduce friction and help conversations feel more natural. It also supports players with hearing, speech, or reading needs in a more flexible way. Accessibility improvements like this may look small in patch notes, but in real play, they can change whether someone feels comfortable joining the conversation at all.

Stability improvements still matter, even when they sound boring

Both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch receive general system stability improvements in version 22.5.0. Yes, that line has become something of a running joke among Nintendo fans. It appears so often that it could probably have its own amiibo by now. Still, stability work matters. Consoles are complicated devices with system menus, online services, storefronts, controllers, user accounts, save data, video playback, accessibility features, and background processes all running together. Even when the patch notes do not list every technical adjustment, maintenance can help keep the experience smoother.

The key difference with this update is that stability is not the only story. Players get visible changes on Switch and language accessibility additions on Switch 2, so the stability line feels like support rather than the entire meal. It is the vegetables next to the main dish. Not always exciting, but useful. Firmware updates that combine maintenance with practical features tend to feel better because players can point to something concrete afterward. In this case, Switch owners can open the eShop and see the difference, while Switch 2 users can find new language options in accessibility settings.

What this update means for players across both Nintendo systems

Version 22.5.0 is not a dramatic system overhaul, but it is a solid quality-of-life update with a clear split in priorities. For original Switch players, the eShop redesign, Basic Dark support, PIN confirmation options, and video skipping controls make everyday use feel cleaner and more convenient. These are not headline-grabbing game announcements, but they touch the parts of the console players interact with outside of gameplay. That matters because the system experience is more than launching a game. It is browsing, buying, watching, managing settings, and sharing the console with others.

For Switch 2 players, the value sits in accessibility and communication. Dutch and Russian support for Text to Speech and GameChat-related speech and text conversion gives more players a better way to interact with the system and with each other. That is especially important as Nintendo continues to build Switch 2 around social features, online play, and a more connected user experience. The update may be modest, but it points in the right direction. It improves the older console in visible ways while making the newer console more inclusive for more players.

The version number matters because the earlier notes can be confusing

The update is version 22.5.0 for both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. That detail is worth stating clearly because update discussions can sometimes spread quickly with mismatched version numbers, especially when players are copying patch notes from different places. The official Nintendo support pages list version 22.5.0 with a June 15, 2026 release date for these changes. For readers trying to check whether their system is current, the number to look for is 22.5.0, not an earlier version. Clear versioning saves everyone a little confusion, and honestly, system menus already have enough tiny text.

To check the update manually, players can use the system settings on their console and confirm the current system version from there. If automatic updates are enabled, the system may already be current, but it is still worth checking if the new eShop layout or accessibility language options are not showing yet. Firmware rollouts are usually straightforward, but settings, regions, and timing can make players second-guess what they are seeing. In this case, the simplest rule is this: once the console shows version 22.5.0, the listed changes should be part of the system software.

Conclusion

Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch update version 22.5.0 is a welcome reminder that firmware updates do not have to be flashy to be useful. The original Switch gets the most noticeable improvements, led by a redesigned Nintendo eShop layout, Basic Dark theme support, expanded User-Verification PIN options, and better full screen video controls with ZL and ZR. Switch 2 receives a narrower but important accessibility upgrade, adding Dutch and Russian support for Text to Speech and GameChat speech and text conversion. Together, these changes make both systems feel a little more polished, a little more flexible, and a little easier to live with. Not every update needs confetti. Sometimes a cleaner store, better language support, and fewer little annoyances are more than enough.

FAQs
  • What version is the latest Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch update?
    • The latest update covered here is version 22.5.0 for both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. Nintendo lists the update with a June 15, 2026 release date on its official support pages.
  • What changed on Nintendo Switch 2 with update 22.5.0?
    • Nintendo Switch 2 added Dutch and Russian to Text to Speech languages in Accessibility. It also added Dutch and Russian as supported languages for Change Speech ⇔ Text During GameChat, alongside general stability improvements.
  • What changed on the original Nintendo Switch with update 22.5.0?
    • The original Nintendo Switch received a redesigned Nintendo eShop layout, Basic Dark theme support for the eShop color, expanded User-Verification PIN options, 10-second video skipping with ZL and ZR in News or eShop videos, and general stability improvements.
  • Can the Nintendo eShop now use the Basic Dark theme?
    • Yes. On Nintendo Switch, the eShop color can now reflect the system theme color when the theme in System Settings is set to Basic Dark. That should make the store feel more visually consistent with the rest of the system.
  • How do ZL and ZR work with videos after the update?
    • When watching a full screen video in News or Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch, players can now use ZL and ZR to rewind or advance by 10 seconds. It is a small control upgrade, but it makes trailers and store videos easier to navigate.
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