Linking Your Nintendo Wii U Account to Your Switch: A Comprehensive Guide
So, you’ve got a shiny new Nintendo Switch and a treasure trove of memories (and possibly digital games!) on your old Wii U. The question is, how do you bridge the gap between these two generations of Nintendo consoles? While a direct, one-to-one transfer of everything isn’t possible, you can link your accounts and, in some limited cases, transfer certain elements. Let’s dive in!
The most important thing to remember is that you cannot directly transfer Wii U games to your Nintendo Switch. The Switch is a completely new system and does not offer backwards compatibility for Wii U games. This is particularly important to remember as you consider whether your saved data is worth transferring.
How to Link Your Nintendo Account
Here’s the core process to link your accounts:
- Ensure you have a Nintendo Account: If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to create a Nintendo Account on the Nintendo website. This is different from the old Nintendo Network ID (NNID) used on the Wii U, though you will want to use the same email and information to link them later.
- On your Nintendo Switch, go to System Settings: From the HOME Menu, select System Settings. It looks like a gear icon.
- Navigate to Users: Scroll down to highlight Users, and then select the appropriate user account to access the Profile Settings.
- Link Nintendo Account: Select Link Nintendo Account.
- Sign In: Sign in to your Nintendo Account using your email address or sign-in ID and password.
What Does Linking Accomplish?
Linking your Nintendo Account to your Switch user profile unlocks several crucial benefits:
- Access to Online Services: Allows you to access online game modes, online multiplayer, leaderboards, and downloadable content (DLC).
- eShop Access: Enables you to purchase and download digital games from the Nintendo eShop.
- Account Management: Consolidates your digital purchases, Nintendo Switch Online membership, and other account-related settings.
Merging Funds
The Nintendo eShop, while still operational on the Nintendo Switch, is no longer operational on the Wii U. Before its closure, the Nintendo eShop allowed players to purchase digital versions of games, downloadable content, and other virtual items directly onto their consoles. While you can’t use a linked account to access the eShop on Wii U anymore, you can still merge funds from your Nintendo Network ID account.
- Launch Nintendo eShop: On the HOME Menu of your Nintendo Switch, select Nintendo eShop.
- Select Account: Select the account you want to use (the one linked to your Nintendo Account).
- Access Account Information: Select your icon in the upper-right corner to access your Account Information.
- Merge Funds: Select Merge Funds from Nintendo 3DS/Wii U.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you navigate the complexities of Wii U and Switch account management:
1. Can I transfer my Wii U games to the Nintendo Switch?
No, Wii U games are not directly transferable to the Nintendo Switch. The Switch uses a different game format and is not backwards compatible with Wii U titles. Games need to be specifically released on the Nintendo Switch to be playable on the console.
2. What happens to my digital Wii U games after linking my Nintendo Account?
While you can link your account, your digital Wii U games remain on your Wii U console. They do not appear on your Nintendo Switch. They are tied to your Nintendo Network ID and the Wii U console itself.
3. Can I use my old Wii U Pro Controller on the Nintendo Switch?
Yes, you can use your Wii U Pro Controller on the Nintendo Switch, but you’ll need an adapter. Several third-party adapters are available that allow you to connect the Wii U Pro Controller to the Switch via USB.
4. Can I use my Wii U GamePad on the Nintendo Switch?
No, the Wii U GamePad is not compatible with the Nintendo Switch. It’s designed specifically for the Wii U console and cannot be used on other systems.
5. Will my save data from Wii U games transfer to the Switch?
This depends on the game. A few select games, like Minecraft, may offer a save data transfer option. However, this is not a standard feature and depends entirely on the individual game developer. Look for in-game options to transfer saves.
6. What if I don’t have access to my Wii U anymore? Can I still transfer my account?
If you no longer have access to your Wii U, you can still transfer your Nintendo Account and digital games linked to that account to a different Nintendo Switch console and make that console your account’s primary console. Contact Nintendo Support for assistance with this process.
7. Why can’t I link my Nintendo Account to my Switch?
There are several possible reasons:
- Date of Birth Mismatch: The date of birth listed for the Nintendo Network ID (NNID) must match the date of birth for the Nintendo Account you’re trying to link to.
- Country Mismatch: The country of residence setting must be the same for both your NNID and Nintendo Account.
- Off-Device Usage Restriction: You may have restricted off-device usage from the Nintendo Network ID. Access your NNID settings on a Wii U or Nintendo 3DS system and verify that the NNID is set to allow “Usage from PCs and Other Devices” (Wii U) or “Non-Nintendo Device Setting” (Nintendo 3DS).
8. How do I transfer game data from one Nintendo Switch to another?
From the HOME Menu, select System Settings, then Data Management, and then Transfer Your Save Data. Follow the on-screen prompts to transfer your save data. Both consoles need to be near each other, connected to the internet, and have the latest system update.
9. Can two users share a Nintendo Account?
While multiple users can exist on a single Nintendo Switch console, each should ideally have their own Nintendo Account. Purchasing a Nintendo Switch Online Family membership provides the Nintendo Switch Online service to everyone in the purchaser’s Nintendo Account family group (up to 8 Nintendo Account users).
10. Is the Wii U eShop still active?
No, the Wii U eShop is no longer active. You cannot purchase new digital games or DLC for your Wii U.
11. Can I still add funds to my Wii U eShop account?
No, you can no longer add funds to your Wii U eShop account. This feature has been discontinued.
12. How do I transfer a user profile and save data to a new Switch?
- On both Switches: Go to System Settings > Users > Transfer Your User and Save Data.
- Follow the on-screen prompts. One Switch will be designated the Source Console (the old one), and the other will be the Target Console (the new one).
- You’ll need to sign in to your Nintendo Account on the new Switch.
13. Are Wii U games tied to my Nintendo Account?
Wii U games are technically tied to the Nintendo Network ID (NNID) that was used to purchase them. However, since the Switch uses the Nintendo Account system, the games themselves won’t transfer over.
14. Can I have multiple Nintendo Accounts on a Wii U?
Yes, up to 12 Nintendo Network IDs can be associated with a Wii U console at a time. However, an NNID cannot be transferred to a different Wii U console.
15. Will I lose my game progress if I get a new Switch?
Not necessarily. If you transfer your user profile and save data to the new Switch, your game progress will transfer as well. However, remember that save data is typically stored on the console, so make sure to initiate the transfer process. If you don’t transfer, the save data will be deleted on the source console.
Final Thoughts
While the transition from Wii U to Switch isn’t seamless, linking your Nintendo Account is crucial for accessing online services and managing your digital purchases on your new console. The inability to directly transfer Wii U games is a definite drawback, but the Switch offers a vast library of its own titles to explore.
Consider the vast possibilities available to you. For more information on gaming and learning, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.