Dragon Quest 11 S Faces Temporary Removal from Nintendo Switch Store

Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age will be temporarily unavailable for purchase on the Nintendo Switch eShop starting February 1. The temporary removal stems from an upcoming change in the game’s publishing rights, though current owners will retain full access to their copies.

The change primarily affects new purchasers, who will need to wait until the game returns to the digital storefront. Nintendo has confirmed that existing owners can continue playing the title without interruption, maintaining all features and functionality during the transition period.

The delisting appears to be related to a shift in publishing responsibilities. Currently, Nintendo handles the game’s publishing on the Switch platform, while Square Enix publishes the title on other platforms including PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. Industry observers anticipate Square Enix will assume publishing duties for the Switch version upon its return to the eShop.

This publishing transition follows a pattern seen with other Square Enix titles on Nintendo’s platform. Similar changes occurred with games like Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy, which were initially Nintendo-published exclusives before transitioning to Square Enix’s publishing control. In Octopath Traveler’s case, the publisher change preceded the game’s release on additional platforms.

The move aligns with Square Enix’s recently announced “Square Enix Reboots and Awakens” business strategy, which emphasizes multi-platform releases and stronger control over their intellectual property distribution. Dragon Quest 11 S represents a unique case in this transition, as it already maintains a multi-platform presence under Square Enix’s publishing on other systems.