Apex Legends for Nintendo Switch is Shutting Down

Apex Legends fans who play on Nintendo Switch may be unhappy to learn that the game is shutting down forever on that console. While the game isn’t going anywhere for other players, those who are on the Nintendo Switch will have to say goodbye to Apex Legends in the near future or move to another system to keep playing.

Apex Legends fans are currently gearing up for the arrival of Season 28, which is likely to land quite soon. In advance of its release, Apex Legends saw nerfs to Octane and Horizon, potentially shaking up the meta as the game moves forward. While the upcoming Apex Legends season will be accessible to Nintendo Switch players, those gamers may want to consider looking into playing on a different system soon.

Apex Legends Announces Shutdown on Nintendo Switch

Apex Legends developer Respawn Entertainment and publisher EA have officially announced that the game will be shuttering on the original Nintendo Switch system as soon as Season 29 comes to an end. Season 29 will end and Season 30 will begin on August 4, 2026, giving players on the original Switch around half a year to enjoy the game before it’s no longer available to them. Players will still be able to play as normal until then, including after the launch of Season 28, and will have the same access to rewards and Apex Legends’ currency as other players.

Apex Legends players who use the Nintendo Switch should be aware that while in-game currency balances can be used anytime before August 4, 2026, they can’t be purchased through the console after that time. Those who migrate to the Nintendo Switch 2 will be able to use any existing balances they had on the original Switch version on the Switch 2 version instead. However, players are also encouraged to check their digital currency laws, as some regions have a 180-day expiration period. Player progress and purchases are all tied to a user’s EA account, which will remain in place, even if the player doesn’t immediately get a Switch 2. Since Apex Legends has cross progression, players who have access to another gaming platform supported by the game, namely the PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, will be able to simply install the game and login with their EA credentials to continue where they left off.

Apex Legends fans may have seen the writing on the wall regarding the Switch version when the game surprised players with the announcement of a Switch 2 version during a Nintendo Direct back in July 2025. While many games are playable across both the original Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, the higher capabilities of the Switch 2 provide for smoother performance and improved visuals, making it the superior version between the two. As games move to more platforms, it can become difficult for developers to keep supporting last-gen versions and current-day versions at once. Developer Respawn has seen numerous layoffs over the last few years, which could make matters even more difficult for those still working on Apex Legends.

Generally, the playerbase seems to be taking the news fairly well. The Nintendo Switch 2 will have been out for a full year by the time the original Switch version shuts down, giving players ample time to upgrade or to switch to a different system entirely. However, the shutdown has also concerned some fans, who wonder if the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of the game could also experience the same fate in the near future. For the moment, however, Respawn has said that the other platforms will continue to be supported.

Source: EA