Nintendo just rolled out its latest mid-year firmware patch, bringing both the newly minted Nintendo Switch 2 and the legacy original Switch up to Version 22.5.0. While mid-cycle patches are often notorious for hiding behind the vague veil of “general system stability improvements,” this June 15, 2026 update actually brings some highly requested quality-of-life adjustments to the table—especially if you’re still rocking the original hardware.
Whether you are deep into the Switch 2 ecosystem or keeping your original console alive as a dedicated indie machine, here is a complete breakdown of what actually changed in Version 22.5.0.
The Switch 2: Accessibility and Chat Refinements
For the Switch 2, Version 22.5.0 is a targeted iteration following the massive March updates that previously introduced Handheld Mode Boost and expanded the new GameChat ecosystem. This time around, Nintendo is focusing on bridging communication gaps.
Official Switch 2 Patch Notes (Ver. 22.5.0):
- Expanded Accessibility: Added Dutch and Russian to the available “Text to Speech” languages.
- Better GameChat Integration: Added Dutch and Russian as supported languages for the “Change Speech ⇔ Text During GameChat” feature, allowing for more seamless international multiplayer sessions.
- The Classic: General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience.
While modest, these text-to-speech additions continue to build out the Switch 2’s robust native voice and text chat infrastructure, a welcome departure from the complicated smartphone-app dependency of the previous generation.
The Original Switch: A Major eShop Overhaul
Surprisingly, the original Nintendo Switch walked away with the meatier portion of the 22.5.0 update. As the legacy console’s library swells past thousands of titles, navigating its marketplace had become a chore. Nintendo has finally addressed this directly.
Official Original Switch Patch Notes (Ver. 22.5.0):
- eShop Redesign & Dark Mode: The Nintendo eShop layout has been entirely redesigned for better navigation. Most importantly, the eShop will now finally respect your console’s theme settings—if your system is set to “Basic Dark,” the eShop will follow suit, sparing your eyes during late-night browsing.
- Enhanced Security: A User-Verification PIN can now be required when “Accessing Nintendo eShop” or “Using Saved Payment Methods,” putting up a much-needed safeguard against accidental (or unauthorized) spending sprees.
- Video Playback Controls: You can now use the ZL and ZR buttons to rewind or advance 10 seconds when watching full-screen trailers and videos in the News tab or the eShop.
- Stability: General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience.
The Road Ahead
This update arrives just as the dust settles from the massive June 2026 Nintendo Direct, which set the stage for an explosive back half of the year. With the Switch 2 bracing for upcoming heavy hitters like Splatoon Raiders (July 23), Nintendo Switch Sports: Resort (October 22), and the highly anticipated The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake slated for later this year, it makes sense that Nintendo is locking down its system infrastructure now.
Make sure to trigger the update from your System Settings if your console hasn’t prompted you automatically!
Source Report: This article’s information was synthesized primarily from IGN’s patch note coverage, authored by News Editor Tom Phillips.
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