How to Access Your Purchased Games on Nintendo Switch

Accessing your purchased games on the Nintendo Switch is a straightforward process, though it can vary slightly depending on whether you’re dealing with digital or physical copies. The key point to remember is that digital games are tied to your Nintendo Account, while physical games are accessed through the game cartridge itself. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of how to access your games:

Accessing Digital Games

Redownloading from the Nintendo eShop

If you’ve purchased a game digitally through the Nintendo eShop, you can access and redownload it as many times as you need to, provided you are using the same Nintendo Account that made the original purchase. Here’s how:

1. Open the Nintendo eShop: From the HOME Menu, select the Nintendo eShop icon.
2. Access Your Account: Click on your user icon located in the upper-right corner of the screen. This will take you to your Account Information.
3. Locate the Redownload Section: On the left side of the screen, highlight and select Redownload.
4. Browse Your Games: You’ll now see a list of all the games you’ve purchased digitally with this Nintendo Account. Scroll through the list until you find the game you want to redownload.
5. Select and Download: Choose the desired game, and then select the download icon. The game will begin downloading to your Switch.

Understanding Primary and Non-Primary Consoles

A crucial aspect of Nintendo Switch account management is the concept of primary and non-primary consoles:

• Primary Console: Each Nintendo Account can have one primary console. On your primary console, any user on that system can play the games purchased by the Nintendo Account associated with it. This means, your family members can play your games on your primary console even with their own accounts.
• Non-Primary Console: On a non-primary console, you can only play your games when using your own Nintendo Account. Other users on the console won’t be able to play the games you’ve downloaded unless they’re also using your account.
• System Transfers: If you have a new Switch, you can transfer your primary console designation to it to allow all users on the new Switch to play your digital games.

Accessing Physical Games

Physical games are accessed by inserting the game cartridge into the cartridge slot on your Nintendo Switch. There are no specific downloads involved, assuming the game does not have any required updates. Here’s the process:

1. Insert the Game Cartridge: Make sure the Switch is powered off or in sleep mode, then insert the game card into the slot on top of the console.
2. Power On the Console: Turn on the Switch. The game icon should appear on the HOME Menu.
3. Select the Game Icon: Select the game’s icon from the Home screen to launch the game.

Handling Game Updates and DLC

Both digital and physical games may require updates or have downloadable content (DLC).

• Updates: These are often automatically installed when your Switch is connected to the internet. Otherwise you will be prompted to update a game when starting it up if an update is available.
• DLC: DLC is usually purchased through the Nintendo eShop and is tied to your Nintendo Account. It will automatically download once purchased. You can access the DLC from within the game itself.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further help you understand accessing your games on Nintendo Switch:

1. Are my Switch games on my account?

Digital games are linked to the Nintendo Account that purchased them. Therefore, if you log in to your account on another Nintendo Switch console, you’ll have access to your purchased digital games. Physical games are not linked to accounts.

2. What happens to the games I bought on Switch if I lose my console?

If your console is lost, stolen, or broken, your digital purchases are safe as they are tied to your Nintendo Account. When you get a new Switch and log in with the same account, you can redownload all your purchased games.

3. Can I redownload my Switch games on a new Switch?

Yes, you can. Simply log in with your Nintendo Account on the new Switch, and follow the steps above to redownload your games from the eShop.

4. How do I redownload physical games on Switch?

Physical games do not need to be redownloaded. However, if you purchased a game with physical copy and then buy it digitally, you can redownload the digital copy from your Nintendo Account in the eShop. The physical game is accessed by inserting the cartridge into the console.

5. Why is my purchased game not showing up on Switch?

If a purchased game isn’t showing in your redownload list, it’s most likely because it was purchased with a different Nintendo Account. Try logging in with any other accounts on the system. If that does not work, make sure you are logged into the correct region’s eShop.

6. Are my games saved to my Nintendo account?

Save data is linked to your Nintendo Account and is typically backed up automatically to the cloud if you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. You can also access this save data when signing in on a new system.

7. Can I get a digital copy of a game I already own physically on Switch?

No, owning a physical copy does not give you a free digital copy. You would need to purchase the digital version separately.

8. Will I lose everything if I delete a game on Switch?

Deleting a game will delete its save data. However, you can “archive” a game which removes the software from the console but keeps the save data. This is an effective method for managing storage. When you download the game again, the save will still be present.

9. What happens if I delete a game from my Switch and then buy the game physically?

If you delete a digital game, and later purchase the physical version, the save data you had may or may not work with the physical game, depending on if there was an update to the digital copy. A new save may be generated or the old save might load. If the save loads, you will then be using the same save that was linked to the account the digital version was bought on.

10. Do I own a digital copy of a game?

Technically, you license the right to play a digital game, but you do not own it. This is a standard practice for digital content distribution.

11. How do I recover saved data on a Switch?

Previously backed-up save data is automatically restored when redownloading software from the eShop. You can also restore save data using the Save-Data Backup option within Data Management if your switch has saved data to the cloud.

12. Do I have to buy games again if I get a new Switch?

No, you do not have to rebuy digital games, as they are tied to your Nintendo Account. You can redownload them on your new Switch by following the previous steps. If you have physical copies, you can continue using them on a new console.

13. Will Switch digital games last forever?

Digital games will remain available as long as the eShop remains functional and you keep your licenses. Unless a game is removed from the store or the license is revoked, you can continue to access it.

14. How do I get more storage on my Nintendo Switch?

You can expand your Switch storage using a microSD card, which can be used to save screenshots, software data, and downloadable content. You cannot install physical games to the microSD card.

15. Why are digital games sometimes more expensive than physical ones?

Digital games are often more expensive initially due to the convenience of immediate download and the absence of physical production and distribution costs. Physical games often see price drops quicker than digital ones and can also be resold.

By understanding these processes and answers, you’ll be well-equipped to access and manage all your games on your Nintendo Switch. Whether they’re digital or physical, your library is just a few steps away.