It’s a sad reality of modern gaming that, despite not needing physical media to play a game, the digital-only version is typically more ephemeral and subject to sudden disappearance than a cart or a disc. It only takes an expired licence or a publisher in financial trouble for games to start disappearing from storefronts.

It’s not just small games either; you may be shocked to see just how many games have been removed from the eShop since 2017. While compiling this (de)list, we were certainly surprised to see just how many sizeable Switch releases — ones we’ve reviewed and enjoyed — are now no longer available for purchase on a Nintendo Switch, 1 or 2.

We’ll do our best to keep this list updated as a comprehensive reference, but let us know in the comments if we’ve missed anything.

Every Delisted Switch Game

Before we begin, a shoutout to DelistedGames.com, a very useful resource not just for corroborating delisted Switch games, but also citing dev/publisher sources and precise reasons behind removals. If you’re interested in finding out why you can no longer buy the games below, you’ll likely find the reason there – give them a visit.

The vast majority of these games are no longer listed on Switch eShops in any region. However, please check the Notes section for exceptions.

Notes & Exceptions

Before we move on, there are a few provisos, a couple of quid pro quos:

Cosmic Fantasy 3 is still available separately on eShops outside North America, and everywhere as part of the Cosmic Fantasy Collection 2.

Likewise, SEGA AGES Shinobi, Zorya: The Celestial Sisters, and Survive on Raft have been delisted in North America only and are still available elsewhere. Radirgy Swag remains available on the Japanese eShop.

Nerve Software’s original Unity ports of Doom and Doom II were delisted, although they were replaced with Nightdive’s KEX versions. Likewise, you can get Wunderling DX for free if you own the original Wunderling.

Switch Delisted Games FAQ

Before we go, let’s answer some questions about these AWOL Switch games.

So, is there really no way to play these on Switch anymore?

Not in any official capacity, unless:

• You already purchased them prior to their delisting
• Or you have a physical copy (assuming one was produced)

In both those cases, you should still have access to download the game and/or any applicable updates.

Why were these games delisted?

Expiring licences is a common reason for a game disappearing from a digital storefront.

For instance, if a publisher has a five-year deal with a licensor, a decision must be made once time’s up if it’s worth renewing the licence and keeping the game on sale. In the majority of cases, unfortunately, sales will have peaked well before the licence expires and it’s simply cheaper to pull the game from storefronts than to keep it there.

In other cases, publishers putting out series on an annual release cycle are incentivised to direct new players to the newest game that’s still receiving updates and DLC.

The closure of Amazon’s GameSparks service in 2022, which some developers used for online gameplay and associated functionality, is another cause for various delisted Switch games.

As we mentioned up top, you should head over to DelistedGames.com if you’re wondering about the background behind specific removal cases.

What about physical copies?

Physical versions of many games above do exist, and they’re (generally) still affordable and reasonably easy to track down – at the moment.

As time goes on, however, physical copies will be harder to come by, especially for the boutique and limited-print-run labels like Limited Run Games. If you really want those retro Jurassic Park games on Switch, for instance, best hunt down a copy sooner rather than later!

We’ll do our best to keep this up to date with Switch 1 and 2 games that get delisted. Think we’ve missed something? Let us know in the comments and we’ll keep adding to this unfortunate list over time.