Players found 19 versions of the same game on Nintendo eShop, and it’s all part of a pretty sneaky scheme
Is Nintendo turning a blind eye to repetitive game releases? This is definitely a clear example of exploiting the algorithm.
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These days, you can find sketchy games on just about every platform. The PlayStation Store is packed with low-key titles (some are even straight-up knockoffs of popular indie hits), while others are weird, AI-generated games like that Titanic Escape Simulator. Steam isn’t without its own issues either, with plenty of shady releases. However, it’s on the Nintendo eShop where things really stand out. One developer in particular has been actively trying to manipulate its algorithm.
Same game, just a closet upgrade
Someone on Reddit recently noticed a strange thing – the same game is listed 19 times on the Nintendo eShop. Cynthia: Hidden in the Moonshadow has multiple versions, all released just weeks apart from each other.
Originally, Cynthia: Hidden in the Moonshadow launched on Steam in 2023. It later arrived on Nintendo Switch and Xbox One/Series X|S in January 2024. But since then, its developer, Catthia Games, has been re-releasing the game on the eShop every single month, each time with a slightly different set of cosmetics or outfits. On the surface, it might look like they’re offering variety or new content, but the real reason seems to be all about visibility. In fact, the same strategy is now being used on the Xbox Store too.
Feels like The Leged of Zelda Stellar Blade EditionSource: Cynthia: Hidden in the Moonshadow; Developer: Catthia Games
Why would they do this? It’s simple. New releases get promoted on the eShop, so by pushing out slightly tweaked versions over and over again, the game keeps showing up as new, effectively cluttering the store for free advertising.
At first, it might seem like a clever marketing trick, but let’s be honest, it is just spam. It’s obvious this is an exploitative move, and instead of attracting a wider audience, it’s more likely to frustrate players and turn them away. If every developer started doing the same thing, browsing eShop would become even more of a mess than it already is. Nintendo doesn’t seem to care about this behavior, as the platform itself shows no sign of being set up to catch or stop this kind of abuse.
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