Greetings all. My kids recently saved their money and purchased a Switch. Because they don't have any money left at the moment to buy games, we want to take advantage of some of the free games in the eStore. Each of my kids created a user on the Switch. Then, I created a user on the Switch, and I also created a Nintendo account so that I could link to and access the eStore through my account. I was able to download a few games.
The Nintendo documentation (online) clearly says that games downloaded from the eStore can be played by all players on that console. However, when my son tries to play one of the games, a message pops up saying he must link a Nintendo account.
So I'm here for some help understanding these accounts. Does each player really need a linked Nintendo account in order to play downloaded games (that were downloaded by another player)?
I understand there is also a thing called the Nintendo Online Service, and that's not what I'm talking about here (yet). I would prefer my kids don't have access to the eStore so that I can control what gets downloaded.
Any help is appreciated.
Thank you!
I was just some tennis game, "1920s Tennis" or something like that. I'm wondering if the Nintendo documentation that states "games downloaded from the eShop can be played by all players on that console" really means "games downloaded from the eShop can be played by all players on that console but those players may still need a Nintendo account".
Does the text happen before you enter the game, or does it say so when you are in the game?
I have some users on my Switch that's not linked to a Nintendo Account, and I'm able to use those accounts on my downloaded games. I haven't tried them with many games, but I know it at least works with Animal Crossing.
@chravis I think you may be right, that some online games can't be played unless the switch user is linked to a nintendo account. I think all online console games may require creating a accounts w/ an email for each user because the larger online game servers need to allocate a space on their server to help keep track of your online game progress. And to prevent people from abusing the system(one person making tons of accounts) eats up server space, and that infrastructure is costly for the online game company. Restricting one account per email addres/user is part of preventing abuse.
If you make separate nintendo accounts, those accounts can't access eshop unless you put credit card into into their nintendo accoutn on nintendo's website.
I've been helping people here with understandnig nintendo accounts for at least 3 years, and I believe the quickest way for you to get up to speed is likely to contact nintendo support. I say that because, talking about this topic usually prompts follow up questions, and here in the forum, that can be real time consuming. You don't have the quick back & forth you'd have if you're talking on the phone to a nintendo support rep. It's pretty easy to get someone on the line there. I've had very good experiences with their support since 2018, although this past december I got a newb there that had to look everything up, if you get someone like that, I think you can try asking for a more senior rep.
There are two ways you can link your kid's switch users to nintendo accounts. The normal way for adults means making a new nintendo account with a new email address. The other way that doesn't require unique email addresses is by making child accounts. I'm so rusty on the subject, I don't want stumble around and waste your time. (if someone else here can rattle off directions, great)
**Note: you cannot change an accounts age after you set it. So, if you set up an account for child/teen/adult you cannot raise or lower the age of it later (this is to prevent kids from hacking)
Nintendo's phone menu tree used to be kind of minimal, but I may have said "representative" to the phone's automated menu to get to a real person on the phone quicker.
NiN accounts must have their own separate email linked to them first thing. Also account issues need to be directed to Nintendo support based on your country region as that is private information and not like general help. Also did you look at Nintendo FAQ as well?
@chravis I wonder if it's because it's F2P? I've never had an issue with local players using games I've purchased, but I don't think I have any F2P games. You could always setup an email address/Nintendo account for the kids and lock the eShop behind parental controls.
Forums
Topic: Need help understanding Nintendo accounts for the Switch
Posts 1 to 7 of 7
Please login or sign up to reply to this topic