How To Buy Switch Games From Other Regions

This might not come as a surprise to most Switch owners, but the eShop has many disparities between countries and regions (and not only between West and East), meaning that you might want to buy Switch games from other regions to get yourself a better deal.

Certain games are also available to some regions and not to others, or the prices offered to them are cheaper. Either way, it’s clear some Switch accounts have an advantage when it comes to the eShop.

It’s not impossible, though, to get that advantage for your account, but you don’t have to grab a plane ticket and use your Switch in another country. All you have to do is configure a new Switch account, without even leaving your spot. It’s super easy, really.

So, grab your Switch device and take a seat. Here’s how to buy Switch games from other regions, with their respective prices and availabilities.

 

How To Create A New Switch Account For Another Region

To get access to Nintendo’s eShop from another country, you need an account with that country as its location. In short, all you have to do is create another account with the location you desire.

To do that, you need a spare email – specifically, one that exists and isn’t already associated with another Switch account. If you don’t already have one such email, it’s quick and easy to create a new one.

If you do have a valid email, start creating a new account in the account section of Nintendo’s website. Fill every space with anything you want, except for the email address and the location. In these spaces, you’ll insert your new email and the location of the eShop you want access to. By the way, Nintendo (and this guide) will require you to verify your email address, so make sure it’s legitimate.

Now, you have a Nintendo account with the location you want your eShop to be in. Grab your Switch device and access its System Settings, head over to User, select Add User and finally Create New User. Give your new user a cool picture and a nickname (it might be wise to give it the name of the country or region of your new account), and link your new account to it.

Check out the eShop in your new region with your new user. The prices have changed and some new games were made available to you.

 

How To Get eShop Credit For Your New Account

With your new account set up and with access to Nintendo’s eShop from another location, you’ll have the advantage of better prices and region-exclusive games. But, to buy these games, you need to get credit for your account. That might not be doable with your usual payment method, though.

If you have a credit or debit card, try buying credit with it on your new account. If you get an error message, then the new account’s location probably doesn’t accept payments with your card’s location (that happens if you try to buy credit for the Japanese eShop using a US card, for example).

If your card works, then head onto the next step. Be aware that you may face charges for overseas payments, though.

If your card doesn’t work or you prefer another method, then you’ll need a gift card that gives you funds to use with your new Switch account. eShop gift cards are available from as low as $5 all the way up to $99 if you’re looking to buy US credit.

Look for websites that sell gift cards for your new account’s region – remember the gift card needs to work for your new account’s region.

Keep in mind those websites might charge values above the gift card’s actual value in order to get profit. Some websites sell cards cheaper than others, so it’s important to explore.

Also, avoid getting physical gift cards and make sure to pick websites that are deemed safe and trustworthy by other people, through testimonials and reviews.

After you’ve bought your gift card, go to your new account’s eShop interface and redeem the code on your recently acquired card.

 

How To Buy A Switch Game With Your New Account

With your new account, browse the eShop to check out which products you want. Finding the right one for you might involve comparing prices between regions and currencies. Luckily, there’s a website that does precisely that.

Another thing to keep in mind is language. Some games on your new account’s region might not be localized for your actual region, which can make gameplay a bit of a fuss, especially if the game involves a lot of reading.

You can check if the game has availability in your language by heading over to its product page on the eShop. In a section with some icons, showing which devices can be used to play the game, the first line will show which languages are available for that game. You can use a Google translator app with your phone’s camera to read it.

When you find a game with a price you’re satisfied with and in the language you’re looking for, go through the same steps as normal when buying games on the eShop.

 

How To Play With Your Original Account

The best part about all this process is that your new account will only need to be used to buy games on the eShop of that account’s location. To actually play the games, all you have to do is access them with your original account on your Switch device.

Specifically speaking about the Japanese eShop: if you are subscribed to Switch Online, go to the Japanese eShop and select Nintendo Switch Online to get access to the Japanese version of the NES and the SNES apps, for free.

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