Availability
In which countries can I purchase directly through Nintendo.com?
In the Americas, this service is available in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and the United States.
Which systems can I purchase games for on Nintendo.com?
You can use this service to purchase games for Nintendo Switch.
Buying a game
How can I purchase a game on Nintendo.com? Do I need to have a Nintendo Switch console?
A Nintendo Account is required to purchase games through the My Nintendo Store. You do not need to have your Nintendo Switch with you, but your Nintendo Account must have accessed the Nintendo eShop on a Nintendo Switch system at least once before you can purchase digital games in the My Nintendo Store.
To learn more about purchasing a game, please read How to Purchase or Pre-Order Nintendo eShop Games on Nintendo.com.
How can I pay for my game?
You can redeem My Nintendo Gold Points towards the purchase price of digital Nintendo Switch games and DLC.
- Each Gold Point can be redeemed towards the purchase price at rates that depend on the currency the points were earned in.
The remaining amount of the purchase will be deducted from your Nintendo eShop account balance. If you do not have enough funds, you can add additional funds using the following methods:
- A valid VISA or MasterCard (e.g. credit card, debit card, or gift card).
- The My Nintendo Store of any country in our region will only accept credit cards that correspond to that same country.
- A Paypal account (U.S., Canada, and Mexico only).
- A Nintendo eShop Card.
Is a Nintendo Network ID required to purchase games?
A Nintendo Account is required to purchase games through the My Nintendo Store.
The games you buy will be automatically downloaded to the system that is associated with your Nintendo Account.
When will I be charged for my order?
The full amount of the purchase will be deducted from your Nintendo eShop balance when you place your order, or, for pre-orders, no sooner than 7 days prior to the game’s release date. If you don't have enough funds, you can use a Nintendo eShop Card, a Paypal account, or a valid VISA or MasterCard to add more.
- For released games - the game will begin downloading to your system as soon as you place your order. Once the download is complete, start the game from your system's HOME menu to begin playing.
- For pre-ordered games - when payment is processed, a non-playable version of the game will be pre-loaded to your system. You’ll be able to start playing the game after downloading a small update that is available at the time the game is released.
Learn more about the purchasing process.
What is the order cancellation policy for digital purchases?
All sales are final—note, however, that pre-orders can be canceled any time before the payment is processed and the game is pre-loaded on your system (up to 7 days before the game’s release date).
Please be sure that you meet all of these download requirements for your game before you place your order.
For additional information, please see the Purchase Terms.
Why was my credit card declined?
Unfortunately, we aren't able to provide the specific reason for the credit card decline. If you aren't sure why your credit card was declined, please check with the bank or company that issued your credit card for information.
Downloading a game
What do I need to download a game?
You'll need a Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Account, Internet connection, and Nintendo eShop access to download the game once you've purchased it.
Learn more about the purchase and download process.
When can I download my game?
Your game is downloaded to your system as soon as you complete your purchase or, for pre-orders, no sooner than 7 days prior to the game’s release date. (Please be sure that your system meets all of these download requirements.)
- For released games: Once the download is complete, start the game from your system's HOME menu to begin playing.
- For pre-ordered titles: When payment is processed, no sooner than 7 days prior to the game’s release date, a non-playable version of the game will be pre-loaded to your system. You’ll be able to start playing the game after downloading a small update that is available at the time the game is released.
Learn more about the purchase and download process.
I don't see the game on my Nintendo Switch! What should I do?
Once you’ve completed your purchase, your game will automatically download to the system associated with your Nintendo Account. To download the game, your Nintendo Switch console must have enough memory space available and it must be turned on or in sleep mode (with an active Internet connection). The game will appear on your system once the download is complete.
For pre-ordered titles, the game will be pre-loaded to your system no sooner than 7 days prior to the game’s release date. You’ll see an icon for the game on your HOME menu, but you'll not be able to launch the game until it is officially released. You’ll be able to start playing the game after downloading a small update that is available at the time the game is released.
If your game isn't appearing, try the following:
- Check the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu to see if there is a game icon that shows that the download is currently in progress. If the download is still in progress, wait until the download is complete.
- Make sure that your system is connected to the Internet and meets these requirements.
- Select Data Management in the Nintendo Switch System Settings to verify that there is enough space on your system to complete the download. If there is not enough space, delete some content.
- Select Redownload in the Nintendo Switch eShop (in your account information). Any games that have been purchased or redeemed on the system will appear here, and can be re-downloaded at no additional cost.
General information
How do you use my personal information?
Nintendo knows that privacy is important to you. Our Privacy Notice describes our collection, use, disclosure, storage, and protection of your information.
Does my purchase qualify for My Nintendo Points?
Yes. As long as you have signed up for My Nintendo before you purchase the game, your game will qualify for My Nintendo Points. My Nintendo Points are automatically awarded to the Nintendo Account that was used to purchase the game.
To see your My Nintendo points balance:
- Visit the Nintendo website.
- Select Sign in.
- Sign in to your Nintendo Account.
Once you're signed in, you can review your My Nintendo points balance and history, check out the latest My Nintendo rewards, and view active missions you can complete to earn My Nintendo points.
Learn more about the My Nintendo loyalty program.
Can I add games to my Wish List through Nintendo.com?
You can add games to your Wish List by locating the game on Nintendo.com and clicking the heart icon, or by browsing Nintendo eShop on your system and selecting the heart icon.
