Games purchased on Nintendo.com do not appear on my system (2024)

FAQs

Games purchased on Nintendo.com do not appear on my system? ›

Check “Redownload” in your Account Information on Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch. Any games that have been purchased or redeemed on the console will appear here and can be redownloaded at no additional cost. Verify that the funds were taken from your Nintendo eShop balance.

If the game is not appearing on the HOME Menu, redownload it at no cost using the same Nintendo Account that originally purchased the game. From the HOME Menu, open Nintendo eShop with the Nintendo Account that purchased the game.

Once you've completed your purchase, your game will automatically download to the console associated with your Nintendo Account. To download the game, your Nintendo Switch console must have enough memory space available and it must be turned on or in sleep mode (with an active internet connection).

To redownload the game, access Nintendo eShop using the Nintendo Account that originally purchased the game, select your user icon in the top-right corner to access your Account Information and highlight Redownload.

You can only redownload games using the Nintendo Account that was used to purchase the game. If a specific game or DLC item shows "Purchased" in Nintendo eShop but you are unable to redownload it, you may find our information on Software Displays "Purchased" in the Nintendo Switch eShop helpful.

Select the picture of your icon in the upper-right corner to access your Account Information. Select Redownload. A list of all of the software you've purchased that is not currently downloaded to the system will appear. Only software purchased with your Nintendo Account will appear on this list.

Possible Solutions:

Perform a system update. Check for any software updates for the problematic game. Check for corrupt data. Delete the problematic software and then redownload it.

If you further research the topic, you'll find out that you actually do not own the games, and never had. What you do “own” is the digital license to use them, with many different systems working against having access to the files that you've paid for!

Classic games can only be accessed by a Nintendo Account with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. However, the save data for the games will remain on your Nintendo Switch console and will still be available to use if you renew your membership at a later time.

Much of it comes down to personal preference. If you like having shelves lined with your games that you can browse and reminisce, you'll want to go for physical. If you prefer the convenience and speed offered through digital purchases, and don't want game boxes lying around, then you'll want to go digital.

How do I restore my game purchases? ›

You might be able to restore a non-consumable purchase, such as an upgrade to a pro version, an extra feature in a game, or a subscription: Open the app that you used to buy the item. Look for an option to restore. You might find it in the app's store, main menu, Settings menu, or Options menu.

Purchases made using a Nintendo Account can be redownloaded and played on any Nintendo Switch console it is linked to. You can link your Nintendo Account to user profiles on multiple consoles. Only one Nintendo Switch console can be the primary console for your Nintendo Account at any given time.

Access the Nintendo eShop with the Nintendo Account that purchased the content. Search for the game title that the content is associated with. Select the game and scroll down to view all available Downloadable Content, below the game details.

From the HOME Menu, select "System Settings" > "Data Management" > "Save Data Cloud". Select the desired user, then choose the backup file you wish to download. Select “Download Save Data”.

If you have a new console that you intend to use instead of your old console, you can simultaneously transfer (move) your user and save data to the new console. *With Nintendo Switch Family, you can transfer between each console types.

From the HOME Menu, select "System Settings" > "Data Management" > "Save Data Cloud." Select the desired user. Tap the software to back up, then select "Back Up Save Data."

You can redownload the software by selecting the software icon on the HOME Menu. Delete Software: The software and the icon will be deleted from the HOME Menu. You can redownload it from the Nintendo eShop using the same Nintendo Account with which it was purchased.