eShop

An eShop is an online storefront operated by a platform provider that sells digital goods and services, typically for download or streaming. The term is widely used to describe branded digital storefronts in gaming consoles, mobile devices, and PCs, where users can browse a catalog, purchase items, and download them to their device.

Common features include account-based access, search and discovery tools, curated recommendations, digital payment support, regional catalogs with localized prices, software updates and cloud saves, licensing and DRM controls, and refund or return policies. Many eShops also provide social features, parental controls, and ratings.

Nintendo's eShop is among the best-known examples. It was introduced in 2011 for the Nintendo 3DS and later expanded to the Wii U and Nintendo Switch, providing a single interface for games, demos, add-ons, and multimedia content. Other platforms offer similar digital storefronts under different branding, such as app stores on mobile operating systems and PC game stores.

Economic model: eShop operators earn revenue by taking a share of sales and handling payment processing, while developers and publishers receive royalties. The rise of eShops has reshaped software distribution, reducing dependence on physical media but raising questions about licensing, regional availability, platform control, and long-term access to digital libraries.