Nintendo eShop: Everything You Need to Know

If you are a gamer or a Nintendo enthusiast, you must have heard about Nintendo eShop. It is a digital distribution service that Nintendo operates for its gaming console. With Nintendo eShop, you can purchase, download, and play a variety of games on your Nintendo Switch console.

History of Nintendo eShop

Nintendo eShop was launched in 2011 as a successor to the Wii Shop Channel for the Nintendo 3DS handheld console. It was later expanded to the Wii U console in 2012 and the Nintendo Switch console in 2017. Since its launch, Nintendo eShop has become the go-to platform for purchasing and downloading digital games on Nintendo consoles.

Features of Nintendo eShop

it is a feature-rich platform that offers a variety of content and features to its users. Here are some of its most notable features:

Games and Content:

it offers a vast library of games and content for Nintendo consoles, including the latest releases and popular titles. You can browse and search for games by genre, price, and popularity, and purchase them directly from the platform.

News and Offers:

it also features a news section that keeps you updated on the latest releases, deals, and events on the platform. You can also find exclusive offers and discounts on games and content that are not available elsewhere.

User Reviews and Ratings:

To help you make informed decisions, Nintendo eShop features user reviews and ratings for games and content. You can read reviews from other players and rate the games you have played to help others make informed decisions.

Virtual Console and Legacy Games:

it also offers a Virtual Console that lets you play classic games from past Nintendo consoles, such as the NES, SNES, and Game Boy. You can also purchase and play legacy games that are not available elsewhere, such as Wii U games on Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo Switch Online:

it is also the gateway to Nintendo Switch Online, a subscription-based service that offers online multiplayer, cloud saves, and free games and trials. We will explore more about Nintendo Switch Online in the next section.

How to Access Nintendo eShop

it can be accessed from various platforms, including the Nintendo Switch console, the Nintendo website, and the Nintendo mobile app. Here is how to access Nintendo eShop on each platform:

Nintendo Switch Console

Turn on your Nintendo Switch console and go to the Home screen.
Select the Nintendo eShop icon from the Home screen.
If this is your first time accessing Nintendo eShop, you will need to set up your Nintendo Account and link it to your console.
Once you have set up your account, you can browse, search, purchase, and download games and content directly from your console.

From Nintendo Website

Go to the Nintendo website and log in to your Nintendo Account.
Click on the Nintendo eShop icon on the top of the page.
You can browse, search, purchase, and download games and content directly from the website.
Once you have purchased a game, you can download it to your Nintendo Switch console by accessing the Download Management section of the Nintendo eShop on your console.

From Nintendo Mobile App

Download and install the Nintendo Switch Online app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Log in to your Nintendo Account on the app.
Tap on the Nintendo eShop icon on the bottom of the app.
You can browse, search, purchase, and download games and content directly from the app.
Once you have purchased a game, you can download it to your Nintendo Switch console by accessing the Download Management section of the Nintendo eShop on your console.

How to Use Nintendo eShop

Browsing and Searching for Games

Browse by Category: You can browse games by categories such as Best Sellers, New Releases, and Coming Soon.
Search by Keyword: You can search for games by using keywords such as game titles, publishers, and genres.
Filter by Price: You can filter games by price range, from free to premium titles.

Purchasing and Downloading Games

Find the game you want to purchase and click on its icon.
Check the game’s details, including its price, rating, and reviews.
Click on the Buy button and follow the prompts to complete the purchase.
Once the purchase is complete, the game will automatically start downloading to your console.

Redeeming Codes and Gift Cards

Go to the eShop on your console.
Click on your profile icon on the top-right corner of the screen.
Select Redeem Code from the dropdown menu.
Enter the code and click on Redeem.
The game or content associated with the code will start downloading to your console.

Managing Your Downloads and Wishlist

Go to the Nintendo eShop on your console.
Click on your profile icon on the top-right corner of the screen.
Select Download Management or Wishlist from the dropdown menu.
You can view your active downloads, pause or resume them, and delete them if needed.
You can also view your wishlist, add or remove games, and receive notifications when games on your wishlist go on sale.

Benefits of Subscribing to Nintendo eShop

Access to Exclusive Discounts and Offers

Subscribers to Nintendo eShop can receive exclusive discounts and offers on select games and content. These discounts can range from a few dollars off the regular price to significant savings on premium titles.

Access to Free Games and Content

Nintendo eShop subscribers can also receive free games and content as part of their subscription. These games and content can include exclusive titles, demos, and add-ons for popular games.

Cloud Save Backup

Subscribers to Nintendo eShop can also use cloud save backup to save their game progress and data to the cloud. This means that if your console is lost or damaged, you can easily restore your game progress and data to a new console.

Access to NES and SNES Online Library

Nintendo eShop subscribers can also access the NES and SNES Online Library, which includes a selection of classic games from these consoles. These games can be played on your Nintendo Switch console and offer a nostalgic gaming experience for fans of classic gaming.