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How to Pre-Order a Game on Nintendo eShop

Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch - OLED Model

Steps for pre-ordering a game on Nintendo eShop.

Note: If the game you pre-order offers a promotion of bonus content to early purchasers, any bonus download codes will not be available until payment is processed and the game is pre-loaded on your system, no sooner than 7 days before the game’s release. After payment is processed, your bonus download code will be listed on the receipt that is e-mailed to you and in your purchase history viewable on the Nintendo Account website.

You can pre-order select unreleased Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch games on Nintendo eShop. Payment will be processed for the pre-order 7 days before the game is released. At that time, the game will pre-load on your system so that you can quickly access the game as soon as it is released.

What to do

  1. From the HOME Menu, open Nintendo eShop.
  2. Search for the game you wish to pre-order.
    • How to search for digital content in the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch 2
      1. Select Nintendo eShop on the HOME Menu to launch the Nintendo eShop.
      2. If there are multiple user accounts on your system, select the account you want to use.
      3. If prompted, enter your user verification PIN or enter your Nintendo Account password.
      4. Select Search/Browse on the left.
      5. Enter a keyword into the "Enter keyword" field and select Search to search by keyword. A list of results will appear.
        • If you would like to narrow your search further, select Filter or use the sorting options dropdown to limit the search results.
      6. Select one of the search results to open the details for the game or DLC.
        • You can also locate DLC by searching for the game, opening the details, then scrolling down to the "Downloadable Content" section

      For more information, please read How to Search for Content in the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch 2.

    • How to search for content in the Nintendo Switch eShop
      1. Select Nintendo eShop on the HOME Menu to launch the Nintendo eShop.
      2. If there are multiple user accounts on your system, select the account you want to use.
      3. Select the magnifying glass in the upper-left corner to access the Search menu.
      4. Enter a keyword into the keyword field and select Search to search by the keyword. A list of results will appear.
        • If you would like to narrow your search further, you can adjust the Price Range and/or Genre to only display games within the category you set.
      5. After selecting a game title, scroll through the game details to view any available downloadable content.
  3. Select Continue or Proceed to Pre-order.
  1. When will the game be released?
    1. Select your payment method and enter your payment information if prompted.
    2. The game will pre-load on your system if there is enough storage space.
    3. At the date and time that the game is released, you will download a small update to unlock and play the game.
    1. Enter your zip code if prompted, then select Save.
    2. Review when your payment will be processed for the pre-order (7 days before the game’s release date), then select NextContinuarSuitePróximo.
      • Select About Pre-orders to learn more about pre-orders, including how to cancel it in the available time.
    3. Select the payment method you wish to use for the pre-order and enter your payment information if prompted.
      • If you have My Nintendo Gold Points, you can select to use them toward the purchase. All Gold Points held at the time payment is processed will be used toward the purchase, or as many Gold Points as needed to fully pay for the game. You will not be able to select a specific number of Gold Points to use.
    4. 7 days prior to release of the game, your payment method will be charged and the game will be pre-loaded on your system if there is enough storage space. At the date and time that the game is released, you will download a small update to unlock and play the game.
      • If your selected payment method fails (for example, if you do not have enough funds), your pre-order will be canceled and the game will not pre-load.

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