How to Play Downloaded Games on Switch
To play downloaded games on your Nintendo Switch, simply navigate to the Nintendo eShop, select the game you want to play, and click on it to start playing, ensuring your console is connected to the internet if the game requires an online connection. If you’ve already purchased and downloaded a game, you can find it in your game library and play it directly from there, with some games allowing offline play once downloaded.
Getting Started with Downloaded Games
Understanding Downloaded Games
To get started with playing downloaded games on your Switch, it’s essential to understand how the process works. When you purchase a game from the Nintendo eShop, it is tied to your Nintendo Account, allowing you to redownload it at any time as long as you’re using the same account.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why Can’t I Play My Downloaded Games on My Switch?
If you’re having trouble playing downloaded games on your Switch, ensure your console is updated and that the game itself doesn’t require a software update. Also, check for any corrupt data and consider deleting and redownloading the game.
2. How Do I Download Already Purchased Games on Switch?
To redownload a game, launch the Nintendo eShop using the Nintendo Account that originally purchased the game, select your user icon in the top-right corner, and highlight Redownload.
3. Where Are My Purchased Games on Nintendo Switch?
You can find your purchased games by going to the profile settings, selecting the Shop menu, and then Purchase History.
4. How to Play Downloaded Games on Nintendo Switch Without Internet?
If the software does not require an internet connection, you can play without one, but ensure you are using the primary console for the Nintendo Account that purchased the software.
5. Why Can’t I Play Downloaded Games on Switch Without Internet?
If you’re trying to play digital games and you’re not the primary account holder on the Switch, you will need to be connected to the internet so the system can verify the license to play.
6. Do Digital Downloads Stay on Switch?
Digital games are stored via your Nintendo Account ID, so you can redownload them as many times as you want, and deleting games to free up space won’t result in losing a digital game.
7. Are Nintendo Switch Digital Games Tied to Account or Console?
Purchases on the Nintendo Switch eShop are tied to the Nintendo Account that made the purchase, allowing you to register one primary console per Nintendo Account.
8. Why Is My Switch Game Not Showing as Purchased?
Check Redownloads in the Nintendo Switch eShop, verify that the funds were taken from your Nintendo eShop balance, and ensure you’re using the correct Nintendo Account.
9. Why Can’t I Redownload a Purchased Game on Switch?
You can only redownload games using the Nintendo Account that purchased the game, and if a game shows Purchased but you can’t redownload it, check the Nintendo Switch eShop for more information.
10. Can You Transfer Purchased Games on Switch?
Yes, you can transfer your Nintendo Account and digital games to a different Nintendo Switch console and make that console your account’s primary console.
11. Can You Buy Switch Games Online and Download Later?
Once you’ve completed your purchase, your game will automatically download to the console associated with your Nintendo Account, provided it has enough memory space and is turned on or in sleep mode with an active internet connection.
12. What Happens When You Download a Game on Nintendo Switch?
The downloaded game will be saved to your Nintendo Switch system’s internal memory or microSD card, allowing you to play it at any time without needing to change Nintendo Switch Game Cards.
13. What Happens When You Buy a Switch Game Digitally?
Once you’ve completed your purchase, your game will automatically download to the system associated with your Nintendo Account, requiring enough memory space and an active internet connection.
14. Are Switch Games on the Device or Account?
Downloadable software is tied to your Nintendo Account and can be played on your primary Nintendo Switch console and, under certain conditions, other Nintendo Switch consoles where you link your Nintendo Account.
15. Do I Have to Buy Switch Games Twice?
No, purchases made using a Nintendo Account can be redownloaded and played on any Nintendo Switch console it is linked to, without needing to buy the game twice.