How to Purchase or Pre-Order Software on the Official Nintendo Website
Instructions for purchasing and pre-ordering software through Nintendo's website.
Additional Information:
- Software titles are available for Nintendo Switch consoles only.
- Nintendo Switch software can be found here.
- A Nintendo Account is required to purchase software through the official Nintendo website.
- Some Nintendo Switch software can be pre-ordered before release. The payment method you select when pre-ordering will be charged starting from seven days before the release date, and the software will be downloaded to your console at that time. You'll be able to start playing it after downloading a small update on the release date for the software.
- All software is also for sale on Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch.
Complete These Steps:
Are you shopping for Nintendo Switch software, Nintendo 3DS software or Wii U software?
Nintendo Switch softwareNintendo 3DS softwareWii U software
- If you haven't already done so, make sure that you have completed all of the following required steps:
- Make sure that your console is connected to the internet and meets these download requirements.
- Visit http://accounts.nintendo.com and create a Nintendo Account.
- Use your Nintendo Account to access Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo Switch console.
- Visit this page and search for the software you want to purchase.
- Select the software title in the search results to display additional information about it.
- Select Proceed to purchase or Pre-order now! depending on the release date for the product.
- Software without either option is not available for purchase through the website.
Which option is available?
Proceed to purchasePre-order now!
- Enter your Nintendo Account sign-in information when prompted.
- If you have My Nintendo Gold Points, you may choose to use them for a discount.
- Select Change if you want to adjust the amount of Gold Points to use. Each Gold Point can be redeemed towards the purchase price at rates that depend on the currency the points were earned in.
- If no additional funds are needed, select Confirm Before Purchase to continue to the purchase screen.
- The remaining amount of the purchase will be deducted from your existing Nintendo eShop funds. Add additional funds if needed.
- To add funds with a credit card, select Credit Card and enter the card number, security code and expiry date for the card into the appropriate fields.
- To add funds with a Nintendo eShop Card, select Prepaid Code and enter the 16-character download code from the back of the prepaid card.
- To add funds with a PayPal account, link your PayPal account to your Nintendo Account, then select PayPal.
- Select Purchase to complete your order.
- Your software will automatically be downloaded to the primary console for your Nintendo Account. Once the download is complete, select the software icon on the HOME Menu to begin playing.
- For pre-orders that are due to be released within the next seven days, the software will be downloaded to your console at the time of your order. You'll be able to start playing it after downloading a small update on the release date for the software.
- If you don't see the software on your console, follow our troubleshooting steps.
- Enter your Nintendo Account sign-in information when prompted.
- Select Change if you would like to use any My Nintendo Gold Points you may have at the time payment is processed towards the purchase.
- Select the payment method you wish to use. Payment will be processed starting from seven days before the release date for the software. If payment cannot be processed (for example, there are not enough funds or your credit card has expired), the pre-order will be cancelled.
- When pre-ordering software from a select list, you can redeem a Nintendo Switch Game Voucher.
- Note: A voucher cannot be used for a pre-order if it expires before the release date for the software.
- Select Pre-Order and Purchase to complete your pre-order.
- Your payment will be processed starting from seven days before the release date for the software. If payment is successful, the software will automatically be downloaded to the Nintendo Switch console set as the primary console for your Nintendo Account. You'll be able to start playing it after downloading a small update that will become available when the software is released.
As of 27 March 2023, it is no longer possible to make purchases in Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS, including off-device on the Nintendo website.
For more information, read the Notice of End of Purchases in Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS.
As of 27 March 2023, it is no longer possible to make purchases in Nintendo eShop for Wii U, including off-device on the Nintendo website.
For more information, read the Notice of End of Purchases in Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS.