Decoding Your Nintendo Switch Ecosystem: Identifying the Primary Console

So, you’re diving into the world of the Nintendo Switch, and maybe you’ve even got a few in the house. But suddenly, the terms “primary console” and “secondary console” start floating around, and you’re left scratching your head. Don’t worry; understanding which Switch is your primary console is easier than navigating the Mushroom Kingdom in a go-kart! The easiest way to verify your primary console is by checking the “primary console” section in your Nintendo eShop Account Information on each of your consoles. If a console displays this, then you have found your primary console.

Understanding the Nintendo Switch Primary Console System

The primary console system is Nintendo’s way of managing digital game licenses. It’s all about ensuring that everyone in your household can enjoy the digital games you’ve purchased, even if they’re using their own Nintendo Accounts. The primary console is essentially the “home base” for your digital games. Think of it like this: your primary console is like your digital game library that anyone on that console can access, regardless of which user profile is being used.

Why is Identifying the Primary Console Important?

Knowing which of your Nintendo Switches is designated as your primary console has several implications:

• Sharing Digital Games: Anyone using your primary console can play the digital games you’ve purchased, even with their own Nintendo Account.
• Offline Play: You can play your digital games offline on your primary console.
• Nintendo Switch Online Benefits: If your Nintendo Account has a Nintendo Switch Online membership, those benefits are shared with all users on your primary console.

Steps to Verify Your Primary Console

1. Power on your Nintendo Switch console. Make sure you’re using the console you want to check.
2. Open the Nintendo eShop. Select the orange eShop icon from the HOME Menu.
3. Select your user profile. Choose the user profile linked to the Nintendo Account you want to verify.
4. Access Account Information. Once in the eShop, select your profile icon in the upper-right corner of the screen.
5. Check the “Primary Console” section. Scroll down to the “Primary Console” section. This section will tell you whether the current console is the primary console for your Nintendo Account. If it is, it will say: “This console is registered as the primary console for your Nintendo Account.” If it isn’t, it will say: “This console is not registered as the primary console for your Nintendo Account.”

What if No Console is Registered as Primary?

If you check and find that no console is registered as your primary console, it usually means one of two things:

1. You’ve never set a primary console: The first time you access the Nintendo eShop on a console with your Nintendo Account, that console is automatically registered as your primary console. If you’ve never done that, you’ll need to do it on the console you want to be primary.
2. You previously deregistered your primary console: If you’ve deregistered your primary console through the Nintendo Account website, you’ll need to log into the eShop on the new console to register it.

How to Change Your Primary Console

Changing your primary console is a straightforward process, but it’s important to understand the implications. Here’s how you do it:

1. Deregister the Current Primary Console. There are two ways to deregister your current primary console:
   • On the Console Itself: If you still have access to the console you want to deregister, go to the Nintendo eShop on that console, access your Account Information, and select “Deregister.”
   • Through the Nintendo Account Website: If you no longer have access to the old console (e.g., it’s lost, stolen, or broken), you can deregister it through the Nintendo Account website (accounts.nintendo.com). Log in to your Nintendo Account, go to the “Shop Menu,” and select “Deregister Primary Console.” Keep in mind that you can only do this once per year.
2. Register the New Primary Console. On the Nintendo Switch you want to be the new primary console, open the Nintendo eShop and log in with your Nintendo Account. This automatically registers that console as your primary console.

Important Considerations When Changing Primary Consoles

• One Primary Console per Account: You can only have one primary console per Nintendo Account.
• Limited Deregistrations: Deregistering through the Nintendo Account website is limited to once per year. If you need to deregister more frequently, you’ll need to do it directly from the console.
• Secondary Console Limitations: On a non-primary console, you must be connected to the internet to launch digital games, and only the account that purchased the game can play it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use 2 Nintendo Switches with the same account?

Yes, you can link your Nintendo Account to multiple Nintendo Switch consoles. This allows you to access your purchased digital games on all of them. However, only one console can be designated as your primary console.

2. What happens if I deregister my primary Switch?

Deregistering your primary console allows you to designate another console as your primary console. All benefits associated with the primary console will then apply to the new one.

3. How do I deregister a primary Switch that I no longer have?

Visit accounts.nintendo.com, sign in, go to “Shop Menu,” and select “Deregister Primary Console.” Remember, you can only do this once per year.

4. Can 2 Switches share games?

Yes, purchases made on a Nintendo Account can be redownloaded and played on any Nintendo Switch system it is linked to. However, only the primary console allows anyone on the console to play those games. On secondary consoles, only the purchasing account can play.

5. Can a primary and secondary Switch play at the same time?

You cannot play the same digital game at the same time on both a primary and secondary console using the same Nintendo Account. Nintendo’s DRM (Digital Rights Management) prevents this. If you have a physical copy of the game, you can play that on one of the consoles while playing the digital version on the other.

6. How do I reset my Switch?

Go to System Settings > System > Formatting Options > Initialize Console. Be sure to back up any important data first, as this will erase everything.

7. Can you change primary Switch console?

Yes! You can change the primary console by deregistering the current one and then logging into the Nintendo eShop on the console you want to be primary.

8. What happens if I link two Nintendo Switch accounts?

You can’t link two Nintendo Accounts together to merge them. However, you can link up to eight Nintendo Accounts to a single Nintendo Switch console. This allows multiple people to use the same Switch with their own individual accounts.

9. What are the differences between a primary and non primary Nintendo Switch console?

On a primary console, anyone can play the digital games you’ve purchased. On a non-primary console, only the account that purchased the games can play them, and you need an internet connection to launch the games.

10. How do I activate a new primary Switch?

Simply log into the Nintendo eShop on the console you want to be the primary console. It will automatically be registered.

11. How many times can you register a primary Switch?

You can register one primary console per Nintendo Account.

12. Can you reactivate a deactivated Switch?

Nintendo Accounts will be deactivated for a period of 30 days after starting the deletion process and can be reactivated during this timeframe. Once the 30 days have passed, the Nintendo Account will be permanently deleted and cannot be restored. However, you can always link your Nintendo Account to your switch, it is the primary console you can only register a limited amount of times.

13. Does factory resetting your Switch delete your account?

No, factory resetting your Switch does not delete your Nintendo Account. It only unlinks it from the console. Your account and purchase history remain intact.

14. Is the OLED Switch worth it?

The OLED Switch offers a vibrant OLED screen and slightly larger display, making it a great choice for handheld play. Whether it’s worth upgrading depends on your personal preferences and how often you play in handheld mode.

15. Why is Nintendo emphasizing the primary and secondary role of its different switch consoles?

Nintendo utilizes a primary and secondary console system for its Nintendo Switch to strike a balance between digital rights management (DRM) and user convenience. This system allows Nintendo to control the distribution and prevent piracy of its digital games while still offering some flexibility for users who own multiple Switch consoles within a household. The primary console designation allows family members to share digital games purchased by a single account, making it convenient for households with multiple users. At the same time, the restrictions on secondary consoles, such as requiring an internet connection and limiting game access to the purchasing account, deter unauthorized sharing and piracy. For more information on gaming and learning, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

By understanding the primary console system, you can make the most of your Nintendo Switch experience and ensure that everyone in your household can enjoy the games you’ve purchased. Happy gaming!