Nintendo Switch 22.5.0 update is the rare firmware story where the older console gets the more interesting change. According to Nintendo’s official Switch update notes, version 22.5.0 refreshes the original Nintendo Switch eShop instead of only delivering the usual stability line.
The timing matters because Switch 2 is now the newer hardware, but the original Switch still has a huge active audience. For those players, the update makes the store easier to browse, easier to secure and a little less awkward when watching videos in News or on eShop pages.
Nintendo Switch 22.5.0 Update Redesigns the eShop
The headline change is the redesigned Nintendo eShop interface on the original Switch. Nintendo says the layout has been updated, and the store now follows the console’s system color theme. If your Switch is set to dark mode, the eShop can finally match that darker look instead of feeling separated from the rest of the system.
This is not a huge feature in the same way a new game or app would be, but it is the kind of change players notice every time they shop, redeem a code or check a discount. The Switch eShop has often felt slow and dated late in the console’s life. A cleaner layout gives the store a more current feel, especially for players still buying digital games, add-ons and indie releases on the original hardware.
It also fits naturally with how many players still use eShop credit. If you are buying credit for someone else, ARPAY’s Nintendo gift card guide explains why digital Nintendo credit remains a flexible option for Switch owners.
PIN Checks and Better Video Controls
Version 22.5.0 also adds a practical security option: users can require a PIN before opening the Nintendo eShop or before using credit cards, PayPal or other payment methods. That is useful for shared family consoles, younger players and anyone who wants an extra step before purchases happen.
Nintendo also added 10-second skip forward and rewind controls for videos shown in News and Nintendo eShop. It is a small quality-of-life update, but it makes trailers and store videos much easier to scan without restarting or dragging through a clip manually.
Switch 2 Update 22.5.0 Is Much Lighter
The Switch 2 side of the update is more modest. Nintendo’s Switch 2 system update page lists Dutch and Russian as newly supported languages for the console’s screen reader and speech-to-text accessibility features, alongside general stability improvements.
That is why the update is being discussed as an original Switch story first. Nintendo Life’s patch note coverage also highlights that the classic Switch receives the more visible eShop changes, while Switch 2 mainly gets accessibility and stability notes.
Should You Install Nintendo Switch Update 22.5.0?
Yes. There is no downside for most players, and the update improves places people still use regularly: the eShop, account protection and video playback. If you own both consoles, the original Switch is where the update will feel most obvious today, while Switch 2 owners should still install it for the accessibility and stability changes.
Nintendo Switch update 22.5.0 is not a flashy system overhaul, but it is a useful late-life polish pass. The redesigned eShop is the main reason to care, and the added PIN controls make it a smarter update for families and shared consoles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Nintendo Switch update 22.5.0 add?
It redesigns the original Switch eShop, adds dark mode support for the store, enables PIN checks for eShop/payment access and adds 10-second skip controls for News and eShop videos.
Is Switch 2 update 22.5.0 the same?
No. Switch 2 update 22.5.0 is lighter, mainly adding Dutch and Russian support for accessibility voice features plus general stability improvements.
Should I update my Nintendo Switch now?
Yes, especially if you still use the original Switch eShop or want an extra PIN step before store and payment access.
