The two ways to get games on your Switch
You can read games to your Nintendo Switch in two ways: buy them from the Nintendo eShop (the store built into your Switch) or insert a physical game card. Most people use the eShop because it is faster and you do not have to carry cartridges around. Physical games cost less over time if you plan to resell them, but they take up shelf space and you have to swap them in and out.
The eShop is where Nintendo sells digital copies of games. You browse, pay with a credit card or gift card, and the game downloads to your Switch's storage. Physical games come on small cartridges that slot into the top of your console — you insert the card and play without downloading anything.
This guide covers downloading from the eShop, which is the method most new Switch owners use first.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Nintendo eShop from your Switch home screen, search for a game, and tap the price to buy it with a credit card or Nintendo gift card.
- The game downloads automatically to your Switch after you pay; you do not have to do anything else to start playing.
- Your Switch needs an internet connection to read games, and you need a Nintendo Account (free to create) to make purchases.
- Downloaded games take up storage space on your Switch; if you run out of room, you can delete a game and read it again later without paying twice.
- Physical game cartridges do not require downloads but cost more upfront and take up physical space.
Setting up a Nintendo Account before you buy
You need a Nintendo Account to buy games from the eShop. If you already have one (you may have created it when you first set up your Switch), you can skip this step. If not, create one now — it takes about five minutes and costs nothing.
Go to your Switch home screen and press the X button on your controller. Select "System Settings," then scroll down and tap "Users." Choose "Add User," then "Create New User." Follow the prompts to enter a username and password. Once you finish, your account is ready to use on the eShop.
Make sure you are signed in with this account before you open the eShop. Your Switch will remember which account you used to buy a game, so you can only play that game when you are signed in as that user.
Opening the eShop and finding a game
From your Switch home screen, look for the colorful shopping bag icon labeled "Nintendo eShop." Tap it to open the store. The first time you open it, your Switch may ask you to confirm your account and region — just follow the prompts.
Once you are in the eShop, you will see featured games on the main page. To search for a specific game, tap the magnifying glass icon at the top and type the game name. You can also browse by category — tap "Games" at the top to see lists organized by type, price, or what is new.
When you find a game you want, tap it to open the game page. You will see screenshots, a description, the price, and reviews from other players. Read the description to make sure it is the game you want — some games have similar names.
Buying and downloading a game
On the game page, tap the price button (for example, "$39.99"). Your Switch will ask you to confirm the purchase. Tap "Purchase" to continue.
Next, choose how you want to pay. If you have a credit or debit card linked to your Nintendo Account, you can use that. If not, you can buy a Nintendo eShop gift card at most stores (Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and others) and redeem the code on your Switch. Tap the payment method you want, enter any information the Switch asks for, and confirm.
Once the payment goes through, the game starts downloading automatically. You will see a progress bar on the game's page showing how much has downloaded. You can close the eShop and use your Switch for other things while the game downloads in the background.
Playing your downloaded game
When the read finishes, the game appears as a tile on your Switch home screen. Tap it to start playing. You do not need to do anything else — the game is ready to go.
If you want to check the read progress before it finishes, go to your home screen and look at the game tile. If it shows a progress bar, the read is still running. If the bar is gone and the game tile looks normal, the read is complete.
Downloaded games stay on your Switch until you delete them. You can play them as many times as you want without paying again, as long as you are signed in with the account that bought the game.
Managing storage when you run out of space
Your Switch has limited storage — the original model has about 32 gigabytes, and the Switch OLED has about 64 gigabytes. Large games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild take up 13 to 14 gigabytes each. If you read several games, you will eventually run out of space.
When your Switch is almost full, you can delete games you are not playing right now. Press the X button on a game tile, select "Manage Software," then "Delete Software." The game disappears from your Switch, freeing up space. The important part: you can read the same game again later without paying a second time. Your purchase is tied to your account, not to your Switch.
If you want to keep a lot of games without deleting them, you can buy a microSD card (usually 128 or 256 gigabytes) and insert it into the slot on the back of your Switch. Games read to the card instead of the Switch's built-in storage. A 128-gigabyte card costs around $15 to $25 and holds about 100 games depending on their size.
Troubleshooting common read problems
If a game is downloading very slowly, check your internet connection. Move your Switch closer to your Wi-Fi router or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. You can also pause the read and resume it later — the Switch will pick up where it left off.
If you see an error message when you try to buy a game, make sure your payment method is valid and has enough funds. If you are using a gift card, check that you entered the code correctly. If the problem continues, restart your Switch by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then try again.
If a game will not start after it finishes downloading, try restarting your Switch. If that does not work, delete the game and read it again — sometimes a read gets corrupted and a fresh copy fixes it.
Physical game cartridges as an alternative
If you prefer not to read, you can buy physical game cartridges from stores like Target, Walmart, GameStop, or Best Buy. Insert the cartridge into the slot at the top of your Switch, and the game starts when ready — no read needed.
Physical games usually cost more when they are new, but they hold their value better. You can resell them, trade them with friends, or give them away. They also do not take up your Switch's storage space. The downside is that you have to carry the cartridge with you if you want to play on the go, and you have to swap cartridges if you want to switch between games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read a game on one Switch and play it on another?
Yes, but only if you are signed in with the account that bought the game. If you own two Switch consoles, you can read a game on both using the same account. However, only the account that purchased the game can play it on the second console — other users on that console cannot play it unless they buy their own copy.
What happens if I delete a game and want to read it again?
You can read it again for free. Your purchase is saved to your Nintendo Account, not to your Switch. Go back to the eShop, find the game, and tap the read button instead of the price button. The game downloads again without charging you.
Do I need Nintendo Switch Online to read games?
No. Nintendo Switch Online is a separate subscription for playing games online and accessing classic games. You can read and play single-player games from the eShop without it. You only need Switch Online if you want to play multiplayer with other people online.
How long does it take to read a game?
It depends on the game size and your internet speed. Small games (under 5 gigabytes) usually read in 10 to 30 minutes. Large games (15 gigabytes or more) can take an hour or longer on a slower connection. You can use your Switch for other things while a game downloads in the background.
Can I return a game if I do not like it?
Nintendo does not offer refunds for digital games in most cases, even if you have not played them. Before you buy, read the game description and watch gameplay videos on YouTube to make sure it is something you want. Physical games can sometimes be returned to the store where you bought them within a certain time period — check the store's return policy.