Gifting the Joy of Online Play: A Comprehensive Guide to Buying Nintendo Online for Others
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So, you want to spread some Nintendo joy and gift a Nintendo Switch Online membership to a friend or family member? Excellent choice! While you can’t directly gift a Nintendo Switch Online membership through the eShop as you might gift a game, there are several effective ways to share the online fun. The most common methods involve either purchasing a prepaid Nintendo eShop card or setting up a Family Membership. Let’s dive into the details!
Options for Gifting Nintendo Switch Online
The primary ways to provide someone with a Nintendo Switch Online membership are:
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Nintendo eShop Card: Purchase a physical or digital eShop card from a retailer (like Amazon, Best Buy, Target, etc.). The recipient can redeem the card on their Nintendo Account and use the funds to purchase the desired membership. This is the closest you can get to directly gifting “funds” to be used for this purpose.
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Family Membership: If you’re buying for a family member (or a very generous friend!), a Family Membership is a fantastic option. One person purchases the Family Membership, and it can cover up to eight Nintendo Accounts. This is cost-effective if multiple people in a household play on the Switch.
Let’s explore these options in more detail.
Option 1: The Flexibility of eShop Cards
The eShop card method is straightforward. Find a retailer selling Nintendo eShop cards (these come in various denominations, typically $10, $20, $35, $50, and $99), purchase the card, and then provide the physical card or digital code to the recipient.
Here’s how the recipient uses the card:
- On their Nintendo Switch, go to the eShop.
- Select their profile.
- Select “Enter Code”.
- Enter the code from the eShop card and follow the on-screen instructions.
Once the funds are added to their account, they can purchase the Nintendo Switch Online membership (either an Individual or Family plan). Keep in mind the price of the membership, and factor in any applicable taxes.
Option 2: The Power of Family Memberships
A Family Membership offers a great deal if you have multiple Switch users in your family or a group of close friends. The purchaser of the membership needs to be 18 years or older. Once purchased, the administrator (the person who bought the membership) can add up to seven other Nintendo Accounts to the family group. These members then receive the benefits of Nintendo Switch Online.
How to set up a Family Membership:
- The purchaser goes to their Nintendo Account settings online (on a computer or smartphone).
- Select “Family Group.”
- Select “Add Member.”
- Follow the prompts to invite other Nintendo Accounts to the group (they’ll need the email address associated with the other person’s Nintendo Account).
Important Considerations for Family Memberships:
- Members of the family group do not need to reside in the same household.
- Family Memberships can include members with Nintendo Accounts with different country settings, however, not all features are available in all countries.
Choosing the Right Option for You
The best option depends on your specific situation.
- Individual Gifting: If you’re gifting to a single friend, the eShop card is probably the easiest and most direct method.
- Family or Group Gifting: If you want to cover multiple people, the Family Membership is the most economical solution.
Remember to consider any applicable taxes when purchasing the eShop card, so the recipient has enough funds to cover the Nintendo Switch Online membership.
You might even explore creative ways to present the gift. If you’re giving an eShop card, consider pairing it with a custom-designed card featuring their favorite Nintendo character. If you’re adding someone to your Family Membership, perhaps create a small “welcome kit” with a personalized note and some Nintendo-themed treats.
Consider exploring resources such as the Games Learning Society to understand the social dynamics and benefits of cooperative play offered through online platforms. You can visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I directly gift a Nintendo Switch Online membership through the eShop?
No, currently, you cannot directly gift a Nintendo Switch Online membership as a digital item through the Nintendo eShop. The workaround is to gift a Nintendo eShop card, which the recipient can then use to purchase the membership.
2. What is a Nintendo eShop card, and how does it work?
A Nintendo eShop card is a prepaid card that can be redeemed for funds in the Nintendo eShop. It’s like a gift card for Nintendo digital content. The recipient enters the code on their Nintendo Switch, and the funds are added to their account. They can then use those funds to buy games, DLC, or a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
3. Where can I buy Nintendo eShop cards?
You can find Nintendo eShop cards at most major retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and GameStop. They are available both as physical cards in stores and as digital codes online.
4. Can a child use a Nintendo eShop card?
Yes, a child account can use a Nintendo eShop card. However, if the child’s account has parental controls enabled, the parent or guardian may need to adjust the settings to allow purchases or to add funds to the account.
5. What is a Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership?
A Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership allows up to eight Nintendo Accounts to share the benefits of a single membership. This is a cost-effective option for families or groups of friends who all want access to online play, classic games, and other Nintendo Switch Online features.
6. Who can purchase a Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership?
Only individuals aged 18 or older can purchase a Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership. They will become the administrator of the family group.
7. How do I add members to my Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership?
The administrator goes to their Nintendo Account settings online, selects “Family Group,” and then “Add Member.” They will need the email address associated with the other person’s Nintendo Account.
8. Do family members need to live in the same household to be part of a Family Membership?
No, family members do not need to live in the same household to be part of a Family Membership.
9. Can I have members from different countries in my Family Membership?
Family memberships can include members with Nintendo Accounts with different country settings, but keep in mind that not all features of the Nintendo Switch online service are available in all countries.
10. What happens if someone already has an individual Nintendo Switch Online membership when I add them to my Family Membership?
If someone already has an individual membership, adding them to a Family Membership will not automatically cancel their individual membership. Nintendo typically provides a prorated refund for the remaining time on the individual membership.
11. Can I upgrade from an Individual Membership to a Family Membership?
Yes, you can upgrade from an Individual Membership to a Family Membership. When you upgrade, Nintendo will typically calculate a prorated discount based on the remaining days of your individual membership.
12. Can I use a gift card to pay for Nintendo Switch Online?
Yes, you can reload your account with eShop cards and get the membership. Just remember the taxes, if you only add lets say individual expansion that is 50, you will have to pay the taxes, so you should add the % of the taxes charged in your region or state.
13. How many users can be linked to a Nintendo Account?
Up to 8 user accounts can be created on the Nintendo Switch console.
14. Does each family member need a Nintendo Account?
As with a Nintendo Switch Online membership, each Nintendo Account needs an Individual Membership or needs to be part of a Family Membership to access Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack benefits.
15. What is the difference between a Nintendo Account and a child account?
Nintendo Accounts for children can be created for users age 0 through 17. General Nintendo Accounts can only be created by users age 13 and older who have an email account. Nintendo Accounts for children can be linked to a Nintendo Network ID only. They cannot be linked to Google accounts or Apple IDs.
By following these steps and keeping these FAQs in mind, you can easily and thoughtfully gift the world of Nintendo Switch Online to someone special. Happy gaming!