Nintendo is inviting players to register for its next Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program, a mysterious beta that has generated buzz since leaks from the previous session pointed to an unannounced multiplayer or MMO-style game. The new playtest, described as a test of the “same service” as the October 2024 session, could provide exclusive early access to an upcoming, potentially genre-defining Nintendo title.
We will perform another test in the #NintendoSwitchOnline: Playtest Program. From 8:00 AM PT on July 21st, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can apply to participate on a first-come, first-served basis.
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 17, 2025
Find out more: https://t.co/xed7zzwzBb pic.twitter.com/JfnMRd9eoH
Key Details of the Playtest
- Applications Open:
- Prepare your application: Friday, July 18, 2025, 6 PM ET – Monday, July 21, 10:59 AM ET
- Submit your application: Monday, July 21, 11 AM ET – Wednesday, July 23, 10:59 AM ET
- First-come, first-served basis
- Who Can Apply:
- Users must be 18 or older
- Must hold an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership
- Nintendo Account registered in Japan, US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, Brazil, or Mexico
- Apply solo or as a group of up to four (all members must meet eligibility requirements)
- Participant Limit:
- Up to 40,000 players worldwide, four times the number accepted in the previous test
- Returning testers welcome, even if they joined the last playtest
- Playtest Schedule:
- Monday, July 28, 9 PM ET – Sunday, August 10, 8:59 PM ET
What’s Being Tested?
Nintendo has kept details tightly under wraps but confirmed that this is a test of the “same service” as before. During the previous October playtest, strict non-disclosure agreements were in place, but leaks suggested participants were trying out an MMO-style title—a first for Nintendo’s core franchises if true. Speculation ranges from a new social or open-world multiplayer game to a radical expansion of Nintendo’s online capabilities.
How to Join
Interested participants should:
- Ensure their Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is active.
- Prepare applications as soon as the window opens on July 18.
- Submit applications quickly once the official submission period begins, since acceptance is on a first-come, first-served basis and slots may fill rapidly.
Why Participate?
Nintendo rarely offers playtests at this scale and secrecy, especially with 40,000 global slots. This is a unique chance to explore upcoming features or titles before public release and influence Nintendo’s next online experience. Plus, both returning and new testers are welcome.
Whether you’re a Nintendo loyalist, online multiplayer enthusiast, or simply curious about what could be Nintendo’s first MMO-style game, this playtest may be a sneak peek at a major upcoming release.
Act fast: The application period is limited, and demand is expected to be high. Prepare your application and be ready for the submission window to maximize your chances.