Nintendo Opens Applications for Large-Scale Switch Online Playtest Program
Nintendo is calling for 40,000 participants to join its latest Playtest Program, a significant increase from the 10,000 testers recruited for the first round last year. The program is open to active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members, and this time, it supports both the original Switch and the upcoming Switch 2.
To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a Nintendo account registered in one of the eligible regions: Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, Brazil, or Mexico. Participants can sign up individually or in groups of up to four, with some data shared among group members.
Nintendo will select Japanese participants via a raffle, while testers from other regions will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications open on July 18 at 6 PM Eastern Time and close on July 21 at 11 AM Eastern Time.
While Nintendo has not officially disclosed the purpose of the test, it confirmed that the program involves the same service tested in October 2024. Previous participants revealed that the earlier test involved a Minecraft-like game where players used blocks to build structures in a shared online world. This may explain why Nintendo allows group applications, as the experience likely involves multiplayer interaction.
The expansion to 40,000 testers suggests Nintendo is scaling up its evaluation of this unannounced feature, possibly in preparation for a wider release. With the inclusion of Switch 2 support, the company may also be testing compatibility and performance across its hardware lineup.
Interested players can apply through Nintendo’s official Playtest Program website before the deadline.
