Buying your games digitally is a super-convenient way to get your hands on the latest and greatest titles, and buying directly from the Nintendo eShop via your console or online is a doddle. Sometimes, though, you might find yourself with a code to redeem; unless you happen to have your Switch or 3DS on you at the time, this means you'll need to wait to start your potentially time-consuming download. Or does it?
As it happens, there is a way to redeem Nintendo eShop codes from your smartphone, computer, or any device which can open up an internet browser. This method has been available for some time, but Nintendo hasn't done a particularly great job of showing it off.
It's pleasingly simple. First, head over to Nintendo's website and make sure you're signed in to your Nintendo Account. This should be the same account that is tied to your Nintendo Switch or 3DS console (there are options to sign in with your associated email address, your Nintendo Network ID, or via a social media account).
Once you're logged in, all you need to do is head over to this very page on Nintendo's site. You should see something a little like the image below, where a box allows you to enter your 16-digit Nintendo Switch or Nintendo 3DS code (you can even copy and paste your code if you prefer).
Enter your code, hit 'Next', and you may be asked to reenter your account password. Once you've done this, you should be presented with a screen which shows the game you've purchased and an option to 'Redeem'. Hit that button, and you're done!
Aside from being quicker and easier to enter your codes this way, this redeeming method also has another benefit. As long as your Switch is left in sleep mode, you can start a download via your phone or computer when you're away from your console and it'll start downloading automatically, ready for when you next pick it up. Lovely stuff.
Other Nintendo eShop guides you might find useful:
- Guide: How To Buy Nintendo Switch Games From The Japanese eShop - Region Free Accounts
- Guide: Where To Buy Nintendo Switch eShop Credit, Gift Cards And Online Membership
Did you already know about this feature, or will this be useful for you in the future? Any other tips you'd like to share with other readers? Fire away in the comments below!
Comments 16
I turn it completely off by, you know, 30 years of gaming habit. I know that these rechargeable Li-Ion batteries last longer when recharged at 30% and never allowed to drain completely, but I don't know about frequent powering off (or if that even affects it). I assume it doesn't affect the battery because I can never find anyone saying anything about that.
I have just one question what does doddle mean? Here it means to draw, but to draw nothing in particular.
Edit: Doddle means the same thing here (U.S). Go figure as we speak English. I've just never heard of it, & to draw is actually doodle not doddle.
@BacklogBlues Doddle (noun, informal, British) - a very easy task.
@BacklogBlues a very easy task.
Source: duckduckgo.
@KingBowser86 You do know it doesn't matter if you let the li ion battery in yourvswitch drain? They can be drained as often as you want. Nintendo has made sure of that as kids won't exactly treat the vattery well.
Thanks @Baart & @Matthew010 i really didn't know that.
Excellent, now please allow us to make game wishlists public and gift games to friends like on steam.
I've done this before the download code you get for Splatoon 2 when joining Nintendo Switch Online, it's handy.
It's also very handy being able to purchase eShop titles or download demos directly on the Nintendo UK site, which'll later be downloaded on your Switch whenever you return to it.
@BacklogBlues Doodle isn't doddle. They're different words.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doodle
This is convenient for me as I buy a lot of Eshop credit off Amazon US. Now I can just copy and paste. I wish I'd known about this before,I've entered a crazy amount of codes over the last 2 years and half the time I enter a wrong digit.
Thank you @justin233 i'm aware of this now thanks to the Nintedolife community. But did you read my edit that i made 15 minutes after the original post?
@DannyBoi https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-tips-for-extending-lithium-ion-battery-life/
@KingBowser86 Send Nintendo customer support an e-mail about it. They will say it doesn't matter how you charge it.
@DannyBoi If they have done something significant to the power structure or battery's chemical composition, I guess that could be true. I dunno, not really that big of a deal considering this is a 5-year console, anyway.
@DannyBoi Nintendo isn't above the law or common knowledge. They're not perfect and don't take everything they say at face value.
@DannyBoi All batteries do die in the end. Luckily Nintendo has a program to replace dead batteries in Switches and controllers. On most 3DS models you could replace them yourself. (not the 2DS ones)
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