Comicbook iconComicbookSep 28, 2026 ~3 min source read

Leak Shows Nintendo Is Testing an "Events Gift" Feature for Switch Online

Files from a recent Nintendo Switch Online update reveal an "events gift" system in active development — multiple simultaneous gift events, a receive sound, and a loading animation — but details and timing remain unofficial.

Nintendo Switch Online Leak Reveals New Feature Coming

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Useful takeaways from this story.

Data-mining of the latest Nintendo Switch Online update exposed an "events gift" feature and related assets.

The leak indicates support for multiple, simultaneous gift events, likely tied to Nintendo-published games.

Discovered assets include a receive sound and a loading animation, suggesting the feature is in mid-to-late development.

The useful part

What the files reveal is that Nintendo is working on a new feature for the subscription service, which is seldom updated with new features. Now, it's finally starting to take shape, as it is seemingly on the horizon. These presumably would be tied to various ongoing Nintendo games and new Nintendo games, as it's hard to imagine many others making use of this feature beyond Nintendo and its games.

How it works

  • Given the usual turnaround between these things leaking in the files and public release, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 users are unlikely to see this before the end of the year.
  • Videos by ComicBook.com to adding new games, Nintendo looks to be preparing to bolster Nintendo Switch Online with a new events gift feature, something it's been working on behind the scenes and through...
  • New Nintendo Switch Online Feature Over on social media platform X, user Idocode01 discovered the new events gift feature while parsing through the files of the latest Nintendo Switch Online update, which...
  • Further, what is here is technically unofficial and a work-in-progress.
  • Unfortunately, this is about the extent of the details and current speculation.

What to take from it

The only other tidbit discovered is the actual sound file for the event gift receive sound, as well as the loading animation. Attached is the loading animation and the event gift receive sound pic.twitter.com/bZzNNt2U0n. Ben (@idocode01) September 28, 2026 Nintendo is pretty far along in the development of whatever this new feature will be, so it's almost certainly going to be fully realized and released, but there is no guarantee of this.

Example or evidence

  • "I assume this is just a more straightforward way to get your special icons, like the Splatfest ones," theorizes one fan.
  • We do not suspect this will change for a handful of reasons, but if it does, we will update the story accordingly.
  • Mario Nintendo Switch Games Now Available for 85 to 90% Off on eShop Tagged:

Details worth keeping

Nintendo Switch Online Leak Reveals New Feature Coming. Rather, this is more likely a part of the 2027 pipeline.

Related coverage

  • Gamespot: Everyone is focused on VRR (variable refresh rate) support for Switch 2 while docked.
  • Comicbook: Image courtesy of Nintendo If you frequently use Nintendo's online features like Game Chat or connecting with friends in-game, chances are that you've got a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
  • Starmometer: Looking back at how entertainment used to be, you can see that there were obvious categories. Films belonged

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