Nintendo Announces Second Playtest for Mysterious Unannounced Switch Game
Nintendo has recently revealed that it will be conducting a second playtest for its enigmatic unannounced Switch game. However, joining the beta is proving to be a challenge for many players.
Between the excitement surrounding Donkey Kong Bananza and the upcoming launch of the Switch 2, some may have forgotten about Nintendo’s unusual playtest from last year—a secret online game for the Nintendo Switch. The company made efforts to keep the details under wraps by asking participants to avoid discussing or sharing any content related to the Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program. Despite these precautions, information about the game began to leak almost immediately.
While screenshots of the game have largely been removed by Nintendo’s legal team (and thus cannot be shared here), the game appears to resemble a social MMO similar to Miiverse. Players are expected to collaborate with others to build and develop a planet using farmed resources.
For those who missed the first opportunity to test the game, Nintendo has announced another playtest scheduled for later this month. This presents a new chance for interested players to get a glimpse of what the game might entail.
How to Register for the Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program
The next playtest is set to run from Tuesday, July 29 at 2am BST to Monday, August 11 at 2am BST in the UK. Interested players can register through Nintendo’s official website.
Applications for the playtest will open on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 11pm BST, but the official application period begins on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 4pm BST.
To be eligible, applicants must meet several criteria. First and foremost, they need an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription as of Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 11pm BST. Those who are not already subscribed will not be considered. Additionally, all participants must be at least 18 years old and have a Nintendo Account registered in one of the following countries: the UK, Japan, the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, Brazil, or Mexico.
According to Nintendo, the selection process for the test in the UK will follow a first-come-first-served basis. This means that players will need to act quickly once the registration opens to have a chance of being selected. The website states that the playtest is expected to accept up to 40,000 participants worldwide.
What to Expect in the Playtest
Nintendo has confirmed that this playtest is for the same game as before, though it remains unclear if the demo will be identical to the previous one. If selected, players will need to download the software onto their Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2. The previous playtest required around 2.2GB of storage space.
As with the initial playtest, Nintendo is requesting that participants do not share any details about the test with others. The guidelines on the company’s website state: “We request that you do not discuss or disclose content from either the Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program test software or website with others.” However, it is noted that group discussions within a limited circle are permitted.
In other words, even casual conversations about the playtest should be avoided. Participants are advised to stay within their own groups and refrain from mentioning the test to anyone outside of it.
What’s Next?
Despite the excitement surrounding the playtest, the release date of the game remains uncertain. It is also unclear whether the final version will be a paid experience. However, there are rumors of a Nintendo Direct event later this month, which could provide more details about the game.
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