Installing Digital Games On Nintendo Switch: A Complete Guide
Hey guys! Getting new games on your Nintendo Switch is super exciting, and going digital is the way to go for convenience. You can download games directly to your Switch and have them ready to play in minutes. But if you're new to the Switch or just haven't downloaded a game before, the process might seem a little daunting. Don't worry, though! I'm here to walk you through everything you need to know about installing digital games on your Nintendo Switch. We'll cover connecting to the internet, navigating the eShop, making purchases, and managing your storage so you can keep playing all your favorite titles. So, grab your Switch, and let's get started!
Connecting Your Nintendo Switch to the Internet
Before you can download any digital games, you'll need to make sure your Nintendo Switch is connected to the internet. This is a pretty straightforward process, but it's the crucial first step. Think of it like setting up the foundation for your digital gaming library. Without a stable internet connection, you're not going anywhere! So, let's break down how to get your Switch online.
First things first, power on your Nintendo Switch and navigate to the System Settings. You can find this by tapping the System Settings icon on the HOME Menu – it looks like a little gear. Once you're in the System Settings, scroll down the menu on the left side of the screen until you see the "Internet" option. Tap on that, and you'll be taken to the Internet settings menu. This is where the magic happens!
In the Internet settings, you'll see a few options, but the one we're interested in is "Internet Settings." Tap on that, and your Switch will start searching for available Wi-Fi networks. It's just like your phone or computer searching for Wi-Fi. Once the search is complete, you'll see a list of available networks. Find your home Wi-Fi network in the list and select it. If your network is password-protected (which it probably should be!), you'll be prompted to enter your password. Use the on-screen keyboard to type in your password carefully. Remember, Wi-Fi passwords are case-sensitive, so make sure you're using the correct capitalization.
After you've entered your password, your Switch will attempt to connect to the network. If everything goes smoothly, you'll see a message confirming that the connection was successful. If you encounter any issues, double-check your password and make sure your router is working correctly. Sometimes, a simple router restart can fix any connection hiccups. Once you're connected, you're ready to move on to the next step: visiting the Nintendo eShop!
Connecting to the internet is more than just a one-time setup; it's your gateway to a vast library of digital games, updates, and online multiplayer experiences. A stable and fast internet connection ensures smooth downloads, lag-free online gaming, and access to the latest content. So, take the time to ensure your Switch is connected properly, and you'll be setting yourself up for a fantastic gaming experience.
Accessing the Nintendo eShop
Alright, now that your Nintendo Switch is connected to the internet, it's time to dive into the Nintendo eShop, the digital storefront where you can purchase and download games. Think of it as the online mall for your Switch, filled with all sorts of gaming goodies. From indie darlings to AAA blockbusters, the eShop has something for everyone. Accessing the eShop is super easy, and I'm going to walk you through it step-by-step.
From the HOME Menu on your Nintendo Switch, you'll see an icon that looks like a shopping bag with the Nintendo logo on it. This is the eShop icon. Simply tap on it to launch the eShop. If you have multiple user accounts on your Switch, you'll be asked to select the account you want to use to access the eShop. Choose the account you'll be using to make your purchases.
Once you've selected your account, you'll be taken to the main eShop screen. This is where the fun begins! The eShop is organized into different sections, making it easy to find what you're looking for. You'll see tabs for New Releases, Best Sellers, Current Sales, and more. You can also use the search bar at the top of the screen to search for specific games or genres. It's just like browsing any other online store.
The eShop also has a handy Wish List feature, which allows you to save games you're interested in for later. This is a great way to keep track of games you want to buy without having to search for them again each time. To add a game to your Wish List, simply find the game in the eShop and select the "Add to Wish List" option.
Navigating the eShop is pretty intuitive, but it's always good to familiarize yourself with the layout. Take some time to explore the different sections and see what's on offer. You might just discover your next favorite game! The eShop is constantly updated with new releases and sales, so it's always worth checking back regularly to see what's new.
Once you're in the eShop, you're ready to start browsing and making purchases. But before you start clicking "Buy," let's talk about the different payment options available to you. This will help ensure a smooth and secure transaction, so you can get back to gaming as quickly as possible.
Purchasing Games on the eShop
Okay, guys, you're in the Nintendo eShop, you've found a game you're dying to play – now it's time to make that purchase! The eShop offers a few different ways to pay for your digital games, so you can choose the option that works best for you. Let's break down the payment methods and how to use them.
The most common way to purchase games on the eShop is using a credit or debit card. The eShop accepts major credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. To use a credit or debit card, simply select the "Credit Card" option at checkout and enter your card details. You'll need to provide your card number, expiration date, and security code (CVV). Make sure you enter the information correctly to avoid any issues with your purchase.
Another popular option is using Nintendo eShop Cards. These are prepaid cards that you can purchase at many retail stores or online. They come in various denominations, such as $10, $20, $35, and $50. To redeem an eShop Card, select the "Redeem Code" option in the eShop menu and enter the 16-digit code printed on the back of the card. The funds will be added to your Nintendo Account balance, which you can then use to make purchases.
If you have a PayPal account, you can also use it to pay for games on the eShop. Select the "PayPal" option at checkout, and you'll be redirected to the PayPal website to log in and authorize the payment. This is a convenient option if you prefer to keep your credit card information separate from your Nintendo Account.
Once you've selected your payment method and entered the necessary information, you'll be asked to review your purchase. Double-check the game title and price to make sure everything is correct. If everything looks good, click the "Purchase" button to complete the transaction. Your game will then begin downloading automatically!
It's important to note that all purchases on the eShop are linked to your Nintendo Account, not to the specific console. This means that if you get a new Switch or need to replace your current one, you can simply log in to your Nintendo Account on the new console and redownload your purchased games. This is a huge advantage of buying digital games – you'll never lose your games, even if something happens to your console.
Before making a purchase, it's always a good idea to check the game's file size. This will give you an idea of how much storage space the game will take up on your Switch. Which brings us to our next crucial topic: managing your storage space!
Managing Storage Space for Digital Games
So, you've started downloading games from the eShop – awesome! But here's a heads-up: digital games can take up a significant amount of storage space on your Nintendo Switch. The Switch has a limited amount of internal storage, and you might find yourself running out of space sooner than you think, especially if you're planning on building a large digital library. Don't panic, though! I'm here to guide you through managing your storage and making sure you have enough room for all your favorite games.
The Nintendo Switch comes with 32GB of internal storage, but a portion of that is used by the system software. This means you'll have around 25GB of usable storage space for games, screenshots, and other data. Some games, especially AAA titles, can be quite large, taking up 10GB, 20GB, or even more. So, it's crucial to be mindful of your storage space.
The easiest way to expand your storage is by using a microSD card. The Nintendo Switch supports microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards. I highly recommend getting a microSD card if you plan on downloading a lot of digital games. You can find microSD cards with various storage capacities, ranging from 32GB to 1TB. A 128GB or 256GB microSD card is a good starting point for most gamers.
To insert a microSD card into your Switch, first power off the console completely. Then, open the kickstand on the back of the Switch and you'll see a small slot for the microSD card. Insert the card into the slot until it clicks into place. Once you power on your Switch, it will automatically recognize the microSD card, and you'll have the option to download games and other data directly to it.
To check your storage space, go to System Settings from the HOME Menu, then select "Data Management." Here, you'll see a breakdown of your storage usage, including how much space is used by system data, software, screenshots, and videos. You can also see how much free space you have on both your system memory and your microSD card (if you have one installed).
From the Data Management menu, you can also manage your downloaded games. You can delete games you're no longer playing to free up space. Don't worry, deleting a game doesn't mean you've lost it forever. As long as you purchased the game from the eShop, you can redownload it at any time without having to pay for it again. When you delete a game, you're only deleting the game data from your Switch; your save data is typically stored separately, either on the system memory or on the microSD card.
Managing your storage space is an ongoing process. As you download more games, you'll need to keep an eye on your storage usage and make sure you have enough space for new titles. By using a microSD card and managing your game library, you can ensure you'll always have room for the games you want to play.
Redownloading Games
Okay, so let's say you've deleted a game to free up space, or maybe you've gotten a new Nintendo Switch. Don't worry, you haven't lost your games! One of the best things about buying digital games is that you can redownload them whenever you want, as long as they're still available on the eShop and you're using the same Nintendo Account you used to purchase them. Let's walk through how to redownload your games.
First, you'll need to access the Nintendo eShop, just like you did when you initially purchased the games. From the HOME Menu on your Switch, tap the eShop icon and select the user account you used to buy the game. Once you're in the eShop, look for your user icon in the top-right corner of the screen. Tap on your icon, and you'll be taken to your account information page.
On your account information page, you'll see a few different options. The one we're interested in is "Redownload." Tap on the "Redownload" option, and you'll see a list of all the games you've purchased with that account that are available for redownload. This list includes games you've deleted, as well as games you own but haven't downloaded yet on your current Switch.
Scroll through the list and find the game you want to redownload. Once you've found it, simply tap the cloud icon next to the game's title. The game will start downloading automatically. You can download multiple games at the same time if you want, but keep in mind that downloading multiple games simultaneously may slow down the download speed.
While the game is downloading, you can continue to use your Switch for other things, like playing other games or browsing the eShop. The download will continue in the background. You can check the progress of your download by going to the HOME Menu and looking for the download icon in the top-left corner of the screen. Tapping on the icon will show you a list of your active downloads and their progress.
Redownloading games is a super convenient way to manage your digital library. It allows you to free up space on your Switch without permanently losing your games. Plus, it's a lifesaver if you ever get a new Switch or need to replace your current one. As long as you're using the same Nintendo Account, you'll have access to all your purchased games.
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about installing digital games on your Nintendo Switch. From connecting to the internet and navigating the eShop to managing your storage and redownloading games, you're now equipped to build your own digital gaming empire. Happy gaming, everyone!