Nintendo’s eShop has been lambasted for its outdated appearance, slow performance, and sheer amount of low-quality games, or shovelware. As Nintendo prepares for the Switch 2, fans and developers alike have been hoping for a complete revamp of the digital storefront. The current eShop suffers from poor discoverability, and it is difficult for users to sift through quality games from the onslaught of new releases each week. Developers have called for better curation, additional filtering capabilities, and a more user-friendly design to make browsing easier.
Fan response has given rise to “Better eShop,” a fan-made, browser-based alternative created by Nintendo Life. It offers faster load times, customizable filters for blocking spam games, and features like user reviews and dark mode. Nostalgic flourishes include Wii Shop Channel music and assurances of greater functionality with wishlist capabilities, screenshots, and support for additional regions. There are concerns, however, that Nintendo may shut off data collection for the fan project.
For Switch 2 eShop, the devs have suggested adding cross-buy support, more personalized gameplay style-based recommendations, and separate categories for Switch 1 and Switch 2 games. They emphasize the need to reward creativity and make AI-generated or low-effort games less visible. Some even recommend abandoning the eShop entirely rather than porting over its current incarnation.
The Switch 2’s backwards compatibility is a big victory for consumers but poses a difficulty for developers. Most want Nintendo to provide robust migration support so there’s a smooth transition between machines. Developers also prefer a spotlight on smaller indie games and additions like enhanced demo filtering and personalized recommendations.
Fans are hoping that the Switch 2 will refine the hybrid gaming experience and long-standing issues with the eShop. The new console, with its possible upgrades, could provide a more streamlined and pleasant platform for discovering and purchasing games.
