Starting today, Nintendo will no longer allow European retailers to sell digital download codes for its games. This makes Nintendo’s eshop the only place to buy Nintendo games digitally in Europe.
Nintendo confirmed the decision in a statement to Nintendo Life, stating:
“After careful examination of the evolving European marketplace in recent years, Nintendo has decided to end the availability of download codes for its own-published software via retailers, effective 1st July 2020.
“Customers will still be able to purchase Nintendo eShop funds, Nintendo Switch Online memberships, and add-on content such as the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass, at retailers across Europe. Download codes for Nintendo Switch software from other publishers will also still be available.
“We’re always investigating new avenues, and will continue to work on new methods to bring Nintendo eShop content to as many players as possible.”
UK online store ShopTo informed its customers of the change via Twitter, announcing that they will no longer be able to sell digital Nintendo games.
Hi, just to let everyone know, due to a Nintendo decision for all EMEA territories, as from Tomorrow 30/06/20 at 23:00 we are no longer able to offer/sell Nintendo digital full games.
We will however, be continuing to offer/sell online membership and add ons, so, with this in… pic.twitter.com/11hrqvEU1m
— ShopTo (@shoptonet) June 29, 2020
However, it will be able to sell digital download codes for third party titles, as well as eshop funds, Nintendo Online memberships as well as DLC content, such as the recent DLC for Pokemon Sword and Shield
