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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteUsually, no. A Nintendo Switch game or DLC download code must match the region of the Nintendo eShop linked to your Nintendo Account. Nintendo says a code from another region will not work. That rule is separate from physical Switch game cards, which are generally not region locked outside the Chinese region.
Which kind of Nintendo Switch code do you have?
Nintendo applies regional rules separately to game and DLC download codes, Nintendo Switch Online membership codes, and eShop prepaid cards. Check the type of code before trying to redeem it.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Nintendo eShop Physical Gift Card | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![$50 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51klpGvEKML._SL160_.jpg)
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$50 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code] | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![$20 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41XOVFRcBIL._SL160_.jpg)
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$20 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code] | $20.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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eCash - Nintendo eShop Gift Card $100 | Digital | Nintendo Switch | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| Item | Regional rule |
|---|---|
| Game or DLC download code | Must be redeemed on an eShop set to the same region as the game. An Americas code, for example, will not work with an account and eShop set to Japan or Europe. Nintendo support |
| Nintendo Switch Online membership code | An Americas membership code can be redeemed by accounts in countries in the Americas region where eShop is available. Codes for other regions work only with accounts set to those regions. Nintendo support |
| eShop prepaid card | Works only in the eShop country or region for which the card was intended. Nintendo says it cannot replace, exchange, or refund a card bought for a different region. Nintendo support |
| Physical Switch game card | Generally not region locked, with an exception for the Chinese region. This does not make a foreign download code redeemable. DLC must match the region of the software. Nintendo support |
How does Nintendo determine your eShop region?
The country set on your Nintendo Account determines the country of the eShop you access. If the code is for another region, it will not work with your current account-country setting. Nintendo’s account-country guidance says a change takes effect the next time the console connects to the eShop.
Can changing your account country make the code work?
Changing the country may change the eShop region, but Nintendo presents this setting in the context of relocating, not as a guaranteed code workaround. Any remaining eShop balance does not carry over when you change countries, and a credit card issued for one region may not work in another region’s eShop. Check Nintendo’s guidance for your account before changing its country.
#1 Best Overall
- Give the gift of fun with a Nintendo eShop gift code
- It's easy—apply it to your Nintendo eShop account in seconds.
- It ensures that you’ll always have funds on hand to help with purchases of new games and applications
- It’s designed for your Nintendo eShop purchases—no credit card required.
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch system.
Why might a code fail even when the region matches?
- The code was entered incorrectly. Follow Nintendo’s redemption instructions. If a retailer card displays both a download code and a separate control number, enter the download code.
- The content is not available yet in your region, or the code has expired. Nintendo says error 2813-0055 can indicate expiry or that the content is not yet available for purchase in that region. Availability can differ during release day. See Nintendo’s error guidance.
- The code has already been used. Check your purchase history. Nintendo says content shown there has already been redeemed.
- The code was not activated or has a publisher-specific issue. For a retailer-purchased code, contact the retailer if activation may have failed. For publisher-specific codes, contact the publisher; for Nintendo-published software, contact Nintendo support.
Nintendo says retailer-purchased game and DLC download codes do not expire. Do not assume this applies to promotional codes: check the expiry terms printed on the code or provided by its issuer.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Are Switch games region locked?
Physical game cards and digital codes are different. Nintendo says Switch game cards are generally not region locked outside the Chinese region, but overseas software may not receive guaranteed full service and support. For downloadable content, the DLC region must match the region of the software it is for. A physical game’s compatibility therefore does not establish that a foreign download code or DLC will work.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- eCash - Nintendo eShop Gift Card $100
Rank #3
- This item can be redeemed on eShop only. This item cannot be redeemed on the Wii Shop
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch, Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Nintendo eShop Digital Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
Rank #2
- This item can be redeemed on eShop only. This item cannot be redeemed on the Wii Shop
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch, Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Nintendo eShop Digital Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
What to do before contacting support
- Check the country set on your Nintendo Account and compare it with the code’s intended region; the account setting determines the eShop country.
- Re-enter the download code carefully, using the download code rather than a separate retailer control number.
- Confirm the content is released and available in that region, and review the code’s expiry terms if it is promotional.
- Check your purchase history to see whether the code was already redeemed.
- Contact the retailer for a retailer-sold code that may not have been activated; contact the publisher for its code, or Nintendo for Nintendo-published software.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
