Digital Game Purchases Through Nintendo.com FAQ

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 2 and Nintendo Switch.

Buying a game

How can I purchase a game on Nintendo.com? Do I need to have a Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console?

A Nintendo Account is required to purchase games through the Nintendo Store. You do not need to have your console with you, but your Nintendo Account must have accessed the Nintendo eShop on a Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch system at least once before you can purchase digital games in the 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 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), or, in the U.S. and Canada, a valid Discover card.
  • The 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 Account required to purchase games?

A Nintendo Account is required to purchase games through the Nintendo Store.

The games you buy will be automatically downloaded to the console you choose during the purchase process.

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, Mastercard, or Discover card to add more.

• For released games - the game will begin downloading to your console as soon as you place your order. Once the download is complete, start the game from your console'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 console. 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 console (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 2 or 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 console 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 console 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 console. 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 console! What should I do?

Once you’ve completed your purchase, your game will automatically download to the console you chose during the purchase. To download the game, your 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 console once the download is complete.

For pre-ordered titles, the game will be pre-loaded to your console 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 HOME Menu on your console 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 ManagementGestión de datosGestion des donnéesGerenciar dados in the 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.
• Check Virtual Game Cards Tarjetas de juego virtuales Cartes de jeu virtuelles Cartões de jogo virtuais on the HOME Menu. 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.

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.