Message: "This software is age restricted."
Follow these steps when you receive the message, "This software is age restricted," while trying to open one of the Nintendo Classics libraries.
Information
This message is displayed when you try using a Nintendo Account for a child to access a Nintendo Classics library through the Nintendo Switch Online option on the HOME Menu, and the child is underage for that library’s ESRB ESRB ESRB Classificação Indicativa rating. This occurs even if no parental controls restrictions are set.
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What is the age rating for each Nintendo Classics library?
You can view the age rating for each Nintendo Classics library on Nintendo eShop, or on Nintendo Store (linked below):
- Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics
- Game Boy - Nintendo Classics
- Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics
- Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics: MATURE 17+
- SEGA Genesis - Nintendo Switch Online
- Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Classics
- Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics
- Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics
- Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics
- Game Boy - Nintendo Classics
- Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics
- Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics: MADURO +17
- SEGA Genesis - Nintendo Switch Online
- Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Classics
- Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics
- Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics
- Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics
- Game Boy - Nintendo Classics
- Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics
- Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics: JEUNES ADULTES 17+
- SEGA Genesis - Nintendo Switch Online
- Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Classics
- Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics
- Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics
- Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics
- Game Boy - Nintendo Classics
- Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics
- Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics: CLASSIFICAÇÃO INDICATIVA: 18 ANOS
- SEGA Mega Drive - Nintendo Switch Online
- Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Classics
- Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics
Complete these steps
- Have an adult download the Nintendo Classics libraries from the Nintendo eShop using their Nintendo Account. If the software was previously downloaded by the child's Nintendo Account, delete the software and download it again using the adult's account.
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How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch 2
- Select
Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online
from the HOME Menu.
- Select Nintendo Classics on the left.
- Select the classic game library you want to download from the different options at the top of the screen.
- Select the icon of the console—this will be the first icon in the list of games included in the library.
- Select Free Download to open the page for the game library in Nintendo eShop.
- Select Free Download again. Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
- Select
Nintendo Switch Online
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How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch
- Open the Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo Switch console and select a user with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- Scroll down on the left-hand side and select Nintendo Switch Online.
- Scroll down and select the classic game library you want to download from the “Special Offers” or “Expansion Pack Content” sections.
- Please note that the Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics software is only available in the U.S. and Canada, and it will not appear if you are using Nintendo Switch Lite.
- Select Free Download twice.
- Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
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How to delete downloadable software on Nintendo Switch 2
- From the HOME Menu, select System Settings.
- Scroll down the options on the left and select Data Management.
- On the right-hand side select Manage Software, then select the software you would like to delete.
- Select Delete Software. The software and icon will be deleted from the HOME Menu. It can be redownloaded using the Nintendo Account that purchased it.
For more information, please see How to Manage or Delete Downloadable Software on Nintendo Switch 2.
- From the HOME Menu, select System Settings.
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How to delete downloadable software on Nintendo Switch
- From the HOME Menu, select System Settings.

- Scroll down the options on the left and select Data Management.
- On the right-hand side select Manage Software, then select the software you would like to delete.
- Select Delete Software. The software and icon will be deleted from the HOME Menu. It can be redownloaded using the Nintendo Account that purchased it.
For more information, see How to Manage or Delete Downloadable Software.
- From the HOME Menu, select System Settings.
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How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch 2
- Start the software from the HOME Menu and have the child select their User to play.
Additional information
- It is not necessary for the parent Nintendo Account to have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership to download a Nintendo Classics library from the Nintendo eShop.
- Any parental control age restrictions set on the child's Nintendo Account will apply when playing a downloaded Nintendo Classics library.