Hey friend! Do you want to build a epic game collection on your Nintendo Switch without having to buy physical cartridges ever again? Well you came to the right place.
By the end, you‘ll be a pro at finding and downloading the latest titles seamlessly right to your device. I‘ll be with you every step of the way to simplify the process and help avoid any frustrations.
Let‘s get started! This comprehensive walkthrough has everything explained.
What Is Nintendo eShop Exactly? A Quick History and Stats Download Primer
The Nintendo eShop is the official digital store for purchasing downloadable Nintendo Switch games, DLC and more.
First launched in 2011 for the 3DS portable system, Nintendo expanded eShop support across all their devices including the Wii U console before the Switch arrived in 2017.
With over 4,310 games now available and counting, the eShop digital catalog makes buying your favorite virtual titles easier than ever.
Below are a few key stats about the platform:
| Total eShop Games | 4,310+ |
| Top Download Ever | Minecraft at over 30M copies |
| Average Game File Size | 5-10 GB |
| Average Weekly Releases | 25 new games per week |
As you can see, there‘s no shortage of exciting stuff available for download to your portable Nintendo Switch screen or TV!
Now let‘s get that eShop account set up for you.
Step 1: Setting Up Your Nintendo Account and Linking Payment
Creating your Nintendo Account to access eShop downloads takes just 2 minutes. And you only have to do it once!
Here‘s what to do my friend:
- Turn on your Nintendo Switch and connect to the internet
- Tap your user icon in the top-right corner
- Select "Nintendo eShop" to launch the store app
- Click "Sign In and Link" to create or log into your free Nintendo account
Pro Tip: You can also manage your Nintendo account on Nintendo‘s website for convenience.
After logging in, head to User Information > Payment Methods to safely link your payment types for future game checkouts:
- Credit/debit card
- eShop gift card
- PayPal account
- Nintendo eShop funds
I recommend registering at least two options in case errors pop up. Don‘t worry about security – all financial data is heavily encrypted both in transit and storage.
If any verification steps fail due to technical quirks, try again or contact Nintendo Support directly via chat or phone. They‘ll fix any glitches promptly!
Okay, now that payment is hooked up…let‘s go shopping!
Step 2: Browsing and Searching the Massive eShop Game Catalog
With over 4k titles across all genres, browsing the eShop is like entering a magical virtual toy store!
Here are the best ways to filter through the awesomeness:
Browse Featured and Recommended Games
The home page highlights new releases, top downloads charts, and handpicked collections by Nintendo curators. It‘s updated constantly so check back even if nothing initially jumps out.
Early morning at 9-10 AM Eastern on Monday-Wednesday tends to showcase bigger sales too!
Leverage Advanced Search Techniques
Know a specific game genre, franchise or price range you want? Use these search filters:
- Sort Low to High Price
- Filter by Genres and Franchises
- Show games under $5, $10 or $15
- View Teen or Mature rated games
- Select Demo Available to try before you buy!
Ask Friends and Check Reviews
Word of mouth suggestions are invaluable. And be sure to read ratings and reviews before purchasing so you can avoid duds!
Okay, let‘s say you spotted an awesome platformer for $14.99. Here‘s how to download it…
Step 3: Select Your Chosen Game
Once you discover "the one" just click its icon to pull up the game details page.
Here you‘ll find the juicy stuff like videos, screenshots, descriptions and content ratings so you know exactly what you‘re getting.
If everything looks appealing, click or tap the "Proceed to Purchase" button to start the buying flow.
Note: Some popular free game options say "Free Download" instead, like Fortnite and Pokémon Quest.
Step 4: Complete Your Payment Securely
Double check the final amount getting charged. If correct, select your preferred payment method to complete checkout:
- Saved credit/debit card
- eShop card code
- Connected PayPal balance
- Nintendo account funds
Fill in any extra fields like CVV codes. Then finish by hitting "Confirm" to finalize.
You‘ll get an email receipt and the funds should clear instantly from your chosen payment source.
If you run into any purchase errors, first retry the process. Also call your credit card company to ensure no fraud lock triggered.
You can manage any leftover Nintendo eShop funds in your account wallet via this handy guide.
Okay, let‘s get you that awesome game download!
Step 5: Download Your Purchased Game!
Start chilling those celebratory drinks because your new game will begin downloading automatically after completing payment.
You‘ll see the software icon popup on your Switch‘s home screen with a active progress bar.
Pro Tip: You can monitor all currently downloading items by tapping the pop-out menu on the software icon then selecting "Download Status".
Check your download queue‘s progress anytime
Install speed depends on stuff like your WiFi strength and the game‘s file size. Here‘s a general guide:
- Small indie games = few minutes
- Average title = 60-90 minutes
- Huge open world = 4+ hours
New releases also take longer due to increased traffic. So maybe grab some snacks or binge a show while you wait!
Once finished, the game icon will stop animating. Tap it to start playing your new masterpiece! All game data gets saved to the internal 32GB storage or external microSD card if you inserted one.
So that‘s it my friend! Rinse and repeat the steps to build your perfect game library. Never waste money on physical cartridges again!
Master Nintendo Switch Storage Management Between Game Downloads
Now let‘s ensure you never run out of device storage space for new game downloads.
The regular Switch has 32GB and OLED model packs 64GB internally. That fills up extremely fast!
Here are my proven tactics for maxing out room:
- Insert microSD card for cheap bonus memory – a 512GB size cards stores 100+ average games! Just push into the top slot.
- Archive or delete unused software for quick space boosts by pressing "+" on their icon then selecting appropriate option.
To visualize the decision on what to delete, check out this flow chart:
Follow the decision tree when needing more storage
Additionally, check that auto-renew is disabled for any subscriptions or free trials you‘re not currently using. This prevents surprise charges!
So there you have it friend – now you can download to your heart‘s content!
Let me know if you have any other questions. And happy gaming!
Your Friend,
-Pat the Passionate Gamer
