Nintendo changes eShop charts to reduce visibility of shovelware

Nintendo has updated its eShop chart system to prioritise revenue over units sold in a move aimed at limiting the prominence of low-effort, ultra-cheap games often referred to as "shovelware" or "AI slop."

The details:

• With the latest Nintendo Switch system update, the eShop’s best-seller rankings are now based on revenue generated over 72 hours, rather than the number of copies sold within 48 hours. This change means games priced at $1 must sell 60 times as many copies to compete with a full-priced $60 title, making it harder for cheaply made games to climb the charts through volume alone.
• Digital storefronts like the eShop, PlayStation Store, and Steam have faced growing criticism in recent years for enabling the flood of low-effort titles, often created using AI-generated assets and designed to manipulate storefront algorithms.
• While the change will likely push many lower-quality games out of the charts, it could also have an unintended impact on discounted indie titles. In the past, short-term price drops helped many premium indie games gain visibility and attract larger player bases through chart exposure.
• Several independent developers have pointed out that Nintendo’s previous sales-driven chart model made discounting a key part of their release strategy on Switch.

More gaming news:

• Microsoft has reported its financial results for the third quarter of its 2025 fiscal year, revealing continued growth in its gaming division despite another decline in Xbox hardware revenue.
• Epic Games says it will bring Fortnite back to iOS and drop all litigation if Apple applies a recent US court ruling worldwide.