Nintendo Switch Online Playtest Program Returns: Registration Opens for Switch and Switch 2

Nintendo has announced the return of its highly anticipated Switch Online Playtest Program, offering gamers the opportunity to experience exclusive software features on both the Nintendo Switch and the newly launched Switch 2.

This initiative underscores Nintendo’s continual investment in refining its online services and engaging with its worldwide community. The latest round of the Nintendo Switch Online Playtest officially commenced on July 28, 2025, and will run through August 10, 2025, in select regions including the US, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Japan, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Registration for this test is now open via Nintendo’s official website, and eligible participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

To apply, a valid Nintendo Account and an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership are required.

Previous playtest participants are able to carry over their data and may apply as individuals or as part of a group. Nintendo has clarified that this latest playtest will utilize the same service framework as the pilot program conducted in October 2024.

Notably, the current test expands accessibility, allowing users to download the exclusive playtest software not only on the original Switch but also on the new Switch 2, which launched in June 2025.

The company has set a global participant cap of approximately 40,000 users, highlighting the program’s selectivity and the scale of feedback Nintendo expects to receive. In a clear message to participants, Nintendo has reiterated its confidentiality requirements, stating that users should refrain from discussing or sharing any details of their playtest experience.

Despite similar instructions during previous programs, there have been instances of details and gameplay footage leaking online.

This time, Nintendo remains firm on its guidelines to ensure a controlled and productive test environment. The launch of this playtest follows immediately after Nintendo’s announcement of an online demo for the upcoming title Drag x Drive, scheduled for release next month.

This sequence of events signals an active summer for the Nintendo eShop and the Switch platform as a whole, as the company continues to prioritize quality assurance and user-centric improvements for its online offerings. To summarize: the Nintendo Switch Online Playtest Program is underway, inviting a limited but substantial pool of players from across major gaming regions.

If you’re interested in participating, visit Nintendo’s official website to secure your spot.

This initiative grants users a unique, hands-on preview while enabling Nintendo to enhance the online infrastructure powering both the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.

For returning testers, the continuity of progress and data between playtests is a welcome convenience. Stay tuned to leading sources of Nintendo news for further updates on this and other upcoming Switch titles, and visit the eShop or tune in to the next Nintendo Direct for the latest announcements.

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