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How to Purchase or Pre-Order Nintendo eShop Games on Nintendo.com

Applies to:  Nintendo Switch, Wii U Deluxe, Wii U Basic, New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 2DS

Step by step instructions for buying or pre-purchasing a game through Nintendo's website.


Additional Information:

  • A list of all available games is located here.
  • Off-device purchases are currently available to residents of the U.S. and Canada.
  • A Nintendo Account is required to purchase games through the online Game Store.
  • For Wii U and Nintendo 3DS game purchases, you will need to link your Nintendo Network ID (NNID) to your Nintendo Account before you can complete your purchase.
  • All games are also for sale through the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch, Wii U, or Nintendo 3DS family systems.
  • For pre-purchases, the game will be pre-loaded to your system at the time of your order. You'll be able to start playing it after downloading a small update on the game's release date.

Complete These Steps:

  1. If you haven't already done so, make sure that you have completed all of the following required steps:
    • Make sure that your system is connected to the Internet and meets these download requirements.
    • Visit http://accounts.nintendo.com and create a Nintendo Account. How to
    • For Wii U and Nintendo 3DS software purchases:
      • Create a Nintendo Network ID (NNID) on your Wii U How to or Nintendo 3DS family system How to.
      • Use your NNID to access the Nintendo eShop on a Wii U How to or Nintendo 3DS family How to system.
      • Link your Nintendo Network ID to your Nintendo Account. How to
  2. Visit www.nintendo.com/games and search for the game you want to purchase.
  3. Click the game title in the search results to display additional information about the game.
  4. Click "Buy Digital."
    • Games without this option are not available for purchase through the website.
  5. Enter your Nintendo Account sign in information when prompted.
  6. The amount of the purchase will be deducted from your existing Nintendo eShop account balance. Add additional funds if needed, and click "Confirm."
    • To add funds with a credit card, click "Credit Card" and enter the credit card Name, Number, CVC Number, Card Type, and Expiration Date info into the appropriate fields.
    • To add funds with a Nintendo eShop Card, click "Nintendo eShop Card" and enter the 16-character download code from the back of the prepaid card.
    • If you have a game coupon, click "Redeem a coupon" and follow the onscreen instructions to redeem the coupon.
  7. Click "Purchase" to complete your order.
  8. Your game will be automatically downloaded to the system associated with your Nintendo Account (Nintendo Switch) or Nintendo Network ID (Wii U or Nintendo 3DS). Once the download is complete, click the game’s icon on your HOME menu to begin playing.
    • For pre-purchases, the game will be pre-loaded to your system at the time of your order. You'll be able to start playing it after downloading a small update, beginning at 12:00 a.m. ET on the game's release date.
    • If you don't see the game on your system, click here.
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