Update: The service has been restored and full functionality has returned.
Nintendo has a slightly harsh Sunday morning. For now, the Nintendo Switch eShop is down, but more troubling is the ability to boot digital games that require server validation.
[Server Down]
Nintendo eShop servers are down. Please wait until the issue is resolved. #ServerDown #NintendoSwitch pic.twitter.com/0PpU3AUQzn
– NinStatusBot (@NinStatusBot) June 5, 2022
This includes titles such as Nintendo Switch Online NES, SNES, N64, etc. (if your consoles haven’t been checked in the last 7 days). This also means that DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. cannot be validated. Ultimate, so you can play these games only without DLC. Some games like Pokémon Unite still work.
[Server Down]
Servers for “Using Downloadable Software” are disabled. Please wait until the issue is resolved. #ServerDown #NintendoSwitch pic.twitter.com/fynCOtNMWK
– NinStatusBot (@NinStatusBot) June 4, 2022
There is also a problem for those with a non-main Nintendo Switch console, as it requires an online check every time you start a game.
So far, the servers have been idle for just over 4 hours at the time of writing. Nintendo is aware of this now and has issued downtime warnings, but when it comes back who can say. There’s a Mario Strikers Battle League first kick-off session coming soon, hopefully it can continue.