The Nintendo Switch is an excellent console that has continued to give the latest PlayStation and Xbox consoles a run for their money despite being released way back in 2017. Even though the Nintendo Switch is a six-year-old console, owners still have many questions or are unaware of the console’s true potential.

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Many Nintendo Switch owners have concerns about downloading games on their consoles. Fortunately, this guide will cover everything there is to know about downloading games on the Nintendo Switch and more.

How to Download Switch Games

Nintendo Switch Eshop

To download games on the Nintendo Switch, players can follow these simple steps:

  1. Create a Nintendo Account.
  2. Head over to the eShop and log in with the Nintendo Account credentials from before.
  3. On the eShop, search for games or look for deals and discounts on games under the Great Deals option.
  4. After picking a game, select Proceed to Purchase. However, if the game is free, select Free Download instead.
  5. After adding a payment method, confirm the purchase.
  6. Once the payment process has been completed, the game will automatically start downloading.

Using Codes to Download Games on Switch Consoles

best local coop games switch featured image

For those that have game codes for the Nintendo Switch, they can add them to their library and download them by following these instructions:

  1. Access the eShop from the home screen.
  2. On the left pane, scroll down to find Enter Code.
  3. Select Enter Code and type the game code on the virtual keyboard that pops up.
  4. A valid game code will notify the user regarding what game it is tied to.
  5. The game will start downloading automatically after confirmation.

How to Redownload Games on the Nintendo Switch

Main menu on the Nintendo Switch

Users who deleted a game from their Switch must follow a different process to download it again. To redownload games on the Nintendo Switch, players can follow these steps:

  1. Access the eShop from the home screen.
  2. Select the User Profile icon on the top right side of the screen.
  3. On the left pane, scroll down to Redownload.
  4. Select Redownload, and then choose a game to start downloading it.

The process of downloading and redownloading games is the same on the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch OLED, and Nintendo Switch Lite.

Prerequisites for Downloading Games on the Nintendo Switch

  • Games must be bought before they can be downloaded unless they are free.
  • Games can be purchased by adding funds or using existing funds.
  • A Nintendo Account is a must, along with a stable internet connection.
  • Players will need to have enough free space on their Switch for a game to be downloaded.

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