Nintendo releases Switch and Switch 2 update 23.5.0 with eShop gifting support
Nintendo has released system update 23.5.0 for both Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Nintendo Switch, moving both systems to version 23.5.0. The update was released on November 9, 2026.
The main addition is support for an upcoming feature to allow gifting of Nintendo eShop products to a Nintendo Account family group member. This gifting feature will be available after a Nintendo eShop update, scheduled for November 17, 2026.
According to Nintendo, the new "Gift" feature allows users to send Nintendo eShop items to family members participating in their Family Group. Nintendo explains that this is recommended when a user finds a game they want their child to play, or when they want to give a game as a birthday or anniversary gift. Gifted items can be received on the console linked to the Nintendo Account selected as the shipping address at the time of purchase. The recipient does not need to enter payment information or a download code. Once the gift arrives, they can simply accept it and use the product.
Nintendo states that some products are excluded, gifts cannot be sent from child accounts, and there is a limit to the number of times a user can purchase gifts within a certain period. Digital products that can be gifted include eligible games as well as DLC and upgrade packs. Anyone with a Nintendo Account can set up a family group and add members, up to 8 total.
To send a gift, a user visits Nintendo eShop on their device, finds the game they would like to give, selects the Give as a Gift checkbox from the product page, and proceeds to purchase. They then select the gift recipient from the list of members of their family group and can select which of their linked systems to send the gift to. After selecting a gift wrap color and other options, they complete the purchase as usual.
The update also adds the ability to configure accessibility settings during first-time setup on Nintendo Switch 2. Information on these accessibility settings can be found in Nintendo Switch 2 first-time setup.
Accessibility updates in System Settings include adding Portuguese (Portugal) to "Text to Speech" languages and adding Portuguese (Portugal) to the GameChat "Convert Text to Speech" languages. These accessibility aspects apply only to Nintendo Switch 2 systems.
Both consoles receive general adjustments and fixes to improve the user experience.
The last major Nintendo Switch 2 update was version 23.0.0 in September. It came with VRR support in docked mode for Nintendo Switch 2, Mii Maker music, and more.
