Nintendo Support

How to Purchase or Download Content in Nintendo eShop

Steps to buy games or DLC from Nintendo eShop by using existing funds, adding funds with a Nintendo eShop Card or redeeming a Nintendo Switch Game Voucher.

Before you start

A Nintendo Account is required to access Nintendo eShop, and your Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console must be connected to the internet.

Additional Information:

You can purchase a game with existing funds and/or add funds directly when you buy the game.
An Internet connection and Nintendo Account are required to access the Nintendo eShop.
Details of your Nintendo eShop transaction will be sent to the email address registered to your Nintendo Account.
For assistance with purchasing a Nintendo Switch Online membership, click here.
If you are downloading multiple items at once, you can prioritise which one you would like to download first on your console.

Complete these steps

Select "Nintendo eShop" on the HOME Menu to launch the Nintendo eShop.
Select the account you want to use.
Locate the game that you want to purchase, then select it to reach its product information page.
- Any DLC or in-game items associated with the game will also be available through the game's product information page. Select the individual DLC/item from the game details to proceed with purchasing it.
Select Proceed to Purchase.
- If the item displays "Virtual Game Cards" or "Set to Not Redownload", this indicates that you have already purchased the item using this Nintendo Account. Learn more about downloading an item that is already purchased.
- If you have an active Nintendo Switch Game Voucher and the game is eligible, you will be asked if you want to redeem a voucher. Select "Use Voucher" to use a voucher for the game or select "Don't use Voucher" to continue with the purchasing steps below.
  - Regarding Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games
    Please note that Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers cannot be redeemed for Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games.
  - Announcement of Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers Discontinuation
    After January 30th, 2026, Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers will no longer be sold. Any Game Vouchers bought will remain valid for 12 months after purchase. Switch titles will continue to be added to the Game Voucher catalogue throughout 2026.

Which option appears after selecting Continue or Proceed to Purchase?

If you want to use one of your Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers for the game, select Redeem Voucher.
- If you prefer to use Nintendo eShop funds to purchase the game, select Proceed to Purchase. You will see one of the other options above.
Select Redeem to complete the purchase. The download will begin automatically and you can check the download status on the HOME Menu.

Review the items, then select Purchase to buy them. The download will begin automatically and you can check the download status on the HOME Menu.

If you want to use My Nintendo Gold Points towards the purchase:
1. Enter the number of My Nintendo Gold Points points you want to use, then select Next to apply them.
  - For more information on Gold Points, please click here.
2. Select Purchase to complete the purchase. The download will begin automatically.

Additional funds will need to be added to complete the purchase.

How Do You Want to Add Funds to Purchase the Game?

Select Credit Card.
- If you have a credit card stored, you will be prompted to either Use This Credit Card or Use Another Credit Card. If you are using the stored credit card, you will not need to re-enter the credit card information to complete the purchase.
Select the amount that you want to add.
- If you select Required Amount Only, any funds already in your current balance will be automatically applied to the game price, and your credit card will be charged for the remainder.
Enter the credit card number, expiry date and security code, then select Next.
- Nintendo Account owners aged 18+ can click the Save box on the credit card entry screen to store credit card information.
- If Nintendo eShop exists for your region, credit cards issued from your region will not work in a different region’s Nintendo eShop. (For example, credit cards issued for Australia and New Zealand will only work in Nintendo eShop for Australia and New Zealand.)
Select Confirm, then Purchase to complete the purchase.
- The download will begin automatically. You can check the download status on the HOME Menu.
  - If you are downloading multiple items at once, you can prioritise which one you would like to download first.

Select Nintendo eShop Card.
Enter the 16-character prepaid code, then select OK.
- Any letters and symbols not used with prepaid codes (i.e. O, I, Z, commas, hyphens, etc.) will be disabled from the on-screen keyboard.
Select Confirm, then Purchase to complete the purchase.
- The download will begin automatically. You can check the download status on the HOME Menu.
  - If you are downloading multiple items at once, you can prioritise which one you would like to download first.

Select PayPal.
- This option is only available to Nintendo Account owners in Australia and New Zealand who are aged 18 years and older.
Link your PayPal account to your Nintendo Account, if you have not already done so.
Select the amount that you want to add.
- If you select Required Amount Only, any funds already in your current balance will be automatically applied to the game price, and your PayPal account will be charged for the remainder.
Select Purchase to complete the purchase.
- The download will begin automatically. You can check the download status on the HOME Menu.
  - If you are downloading multiple items at once, you can prioritise which one you would like to download first.

Select Redeem Points.
- The Redeem Points option will not appear if your Gold Point balance is currently 0.
Enter the number of My Nintendo Gold Points points you want to use, then select Next to apply them.
- For more information on Gold Points, please click here.
Add additional funds by using a credit card, a Nintendo eShop Card or PayPal.
- If no additional funds are needed after applying Gold Points, you can select Purchase to complete the purchase. The download will begin automatically.

Nintendo Support

How to Purchase or Download Content in Nintendo eShop

Before you start

Additional Information:

Complete these steps

Which option appears after selecting Continue or Proceed to Purchase?

"You can redeem a Nintendo Switch Game Voucher for this software" message

The "Confirm Items to Purchase" screen

The "You do not have sufficient funds" screen

Credit Card

Nintendo eShop Card

PayPal Account

How to use My Nintendo Gold Points towards the purchase

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