Nintendo released a new firmware update for both the Nintendo Switch and the newer Nintendo Switch 2, bringing system software to version 23.5.0.
While the update includes general accessibility additions and system fixes, its most prominent feature is the preparation of the Nintendo eShop for an upcoming product gifting service scheduled to launch on November 17, 2026.
System Update 23.5.0 Lays the Groundwork
Users must connect their consoles to the internet to download the latest software, though the update often installs automatically. Alongside the gifting groundwork, the patch adds support for Portuguese (Portugal) in both Text-to-Speech and GameChat’s Convert Text to Speech features, and introduces new accessibility configuration options during first-time console setup.
The system update itself was officially released by Nintendo on November 9, 2026. Players can check their current firmware version in the System Settings menu on their Nintendo console.
Nintendo Limits Digital Gifting to Family Group Members
Unlike rival storefronts such as Steam, which allow users to send digital games to anyone on a standard friends list, Nintendo’s upcoming feature operates with strict boundaries. Gamers will only be able to send digital products to individuals who belong to the same Nintendo Account family group, which supports up to eight members total. Official notices indicate that supervised accounts are not able to send digital gifts.
Nintendo Switch 2 System Update 23.5.0 Is Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes https://t.co/ApvBRQSjYf
— Post by @nintendolife on X
Nintendo outlined how the program functions across its digital storefront:
- Eligible items include standard digital games, downloadable content (DLC), and upgrade packs.
- Certain products on the Nintendo eShop may be excluded from digital gifting.
- The number of digital gift purchases allowed in a given period is limited.
- Gifts are sent to recipients immediately upon purchase completion.
Just in time for the holidays, a new feature will let family group members gift digital games to other members of their group,
Nintendo, official announcement
The publisher highlights that anybody with a Nintendo Account is able to easily establish a family group and add members up to the eight-person maximum. The functionality is restricted exclusively to immediate family group members rather than general friends lists.
This limitation draws a sharp contrast with historical features seen on earlier hardware, such as the Nintendo Wii. During the Wii era, the publisher permitted users to send WiiWare or Virtual Console software to anyone registered on a Wii Friend list via the Wii Shop Channel, a service that ultimately ended alongside the platform’s closure in 2019.
How the eShop Gifting Process Works
When the gifting functionality goes live on November 16, users will find a specific checkbox on product listings within the digital store. Players can visit the Nintendo eShop on your device and find the game you’d like to give as a gift, selecting the relevant option before proceeding to checkout.
A new system update for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch is available now, adding support for an upcoming feature that will allow you to gift Nintendo eShop products to members in your Nintendo Account family group. Find out more: https://t.co/L06SJj1CRL
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Purchasers select the recipient from their family group list, designate which linked system receives the item, and choose a gift-wrap color. Recipients find the delivered item directly on their HOME Menu to accept and play. Because gifts transmit immediately upon purchase, buyers must ensure they are fully prepared before completing the transaction.
Earlier coverage: Retailers Deploy Varied Restock Strategies for Switch 2 Zelda Edition
There's a new system update available for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, which paves the way for a long-awaited Nintendo eShop gifting feature. Details:https://t.co/H3EMz2OHrn
— Post by @PlayDay_One on X
