Nintendo eShop Gift Card Review: Is It Worth Buying for Switch Games?

Purchasing a Nintendo eShop gift card seems like a straightforward process. Buy a code, redeem it, and use the funds for Nintendo Switch games. For the right customer, this is an easy purchase, but a proper Nintendo eShop gift card review should do more than simply say, “yes, this is a good purchase.” There are several important factors to consider, especially region and account country.

For Switch players who purchase digital games, DLC, indie games, and content available on the Nintendo eShop, Nintendo eShop gift cards make for a great purchase. They are also good as presents because the receiver gets to decide what game they want instead of being limited to one title.

However, they are not the ideal purchase for every scenario. A Nintendo eShop card is linked to Nintendo’s digital store, and the store’s region is a bigger factor than buyers tend to assume.

[Buy Nintendo eShop Gift Card on egiftcards]

What Is a Nintendo eShop Gift Card?

A Nintendo eShop Gift Card is a digital prepaid code that adds money to a Nintendo Account. After the code is redeemed, the available balance can be used for eligible purchases on Nintendo eShop.

For Nintendo Switch users, the purchases typically comprise digital games, DLC, expansion packs, indie games, and other offerings available in the eShop. Unlike buying a physical game cartridge, the eShop card enables users to add money to their account and buy whatever they wish digitally.

The flexibility is the primary attractiveness of the gift card. With no clue whether the recipient is interested in the latest Mario game, a farming simulator, a party game, or DLC for a game they already own, eShop credit gives them the ability to decide for themselves.

What Can You Buy with a Nintendo eShop Gift Card?

Purchasing digital Nintendo Switch games is the most common use of eShop cards and includes all major Nintendo titles, games from third-party developers, indie games, and small digital-only titles.

eShop gift cards can also be used to purchase DLC, which may be one of the better uses of the cards. Many Switch games offer expansion passes, which provide additional characters, new tracks, missions, cosmetics, and story content. If the gift card recipient already owns the base game, the eShop credits can be used to buy the expansion.

eShop cards can also be used during digital sales. Nintendo Switch games do not have a low price point, so users are often happier to use their balance during a sale. Users can time their purchase to get the biggest discount.

The Main Advantages

The main advantage is having more options. A Nintendo eShop Gift Card gives the recipient more games to choose from and they can browse the store to compare prices, wait for a discount, or use the remaining balance to make a larger purchase.

If you don’t know what games someone has on Switch, you don’t need to know what they’re interested in. You don’t need to know if they like playing action games, cozy games, family games, or RPGs. eShop gift cards really do let them pick their own games.

Gift cards are also excellent for budgeting. This is especially true for parents. A gift card lets their child or family member purchase a game without needing to link a payment method to their account.

Purchasing eShop gift cards online is especially practical since digital cards are important for last minute gifts because no physical cards need to be shipped.

Best Gaming Gift Cards Online [Shop Now]

Limitations Buyers Should Know

The primary limitation is geography. You need to be careful when buying Nintendo eShop Gift Cards from different countries because the account’s country or region must match the region of the gift card.

If the gift card’s region doesn’t match the account, the code will be unredeemable regardless of its validity. This is a common issue with e-shop gift cards and can be quite annoying. It is also one of the main reasons a Nintendo eShop gift card review should always talk about region before recommending the product.

Another drawback is that the balance is stuck in the Nintendo ecosystem. It cannot be used on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, or mobile games. Since it’s a Nintendo eShop product, it only makes sense for someone who actually shops on Nintendo eShop to use it.

There’s also the fact that it’s digital only. If the recipient has a strong preference for physical cartridges, a Nintendo eShop card isn’t likely to be a good option. It’s better suited to those who are at ease with purchasing and downloading games.

Region and Account Country: This Is Important

This is the most crucial part before checkout. Look up the country or region of the recipient’s Nintendo Account; then, purchase a Nintendo eShop Gift Card that corresponds with it.

For example, a United States eShop card will only work with a United States Nintendo Account. A New Zealand or Australia region card will only work with the correct region account. Don’t assume it’s going to work just because it’s a digital card.

Changing account regions is also not a straightforward workaround. Nintendo specifically states that the eShop balance is lost when changing the Nintendo Account country or region. This means that leftover funds can cause problems if someone tries to switch regions.

So the best advice is simple: buy the card that corresponds to the account region the user actively uses.

Benefits of a Nintendo eShop Gift Card

Gift cards to the Nintendo eShop are best suited for those who own a Nintendo Switch and purchase digital content often. It is particularly useful for those who would purchase indie games, buy a lot of DLCs for their games or enjoy browsing the eShop to purchase games on sale.

Gift cards are great for families. Nintendo offers a wide variety of family-friendly games, party games, and casual games. Nintendo eShop credit allows families to choose games without restrictions.

Gift cards also allow parents to set a spending limit on their child’s Nintendo eShop account. It is best not to give gift cards to people who buy a lot of physical games, rarely take advantage of the Nintendo eShop or primarily play on other consoles.

Are Nintendo eShop Gift Cards Good for Switch Games and DLC?

A Nintendo eShop gift card is good for purchasing digital games and DLCs on the Nintendo Switch. It is especially great if the recipient is aware of what they want to buy or prefers to wait for a sale.

Gift cards can be used to purchase first-party Nintendo games which can be expensive. For DLCs, gift cards are especially useful since those purchases are typically inexpensive.

An Indie game developer could also benefit from this. The Nintendo eShop contains a number of smaller digital titles so even a small amount on the gift card could buy one or more games during a sale.

The only real drawback is having to match the card to the regional account.

Are Nintendo eShop Gift Cards a Good Idea?

For this Nintendo eShop gift card review, the answer is yes if the person you are buying for plays on a Nintendo Switch and uses the eShop regularly. You are giving them the flexibility to buy digital games, download content, expansion passes, and they could even use this to purchase something during a sale.

It also may not be the best option for those who rarely buy games for their Switch or purchase games with physical cartridges. To those players, a physical gaming gift or something else might be perceived as more useful.

Tips for Buying

Before purchasing there are three things to check – platform, region, and spending habits.

The platform is simple. Does the person have a Nintendo Switch?

The region is the most important part. The card and the account need to match by country or region.

As for spending habits, if the player enjoys buying things digitally, buying DLC, or taking advantage of eShop sales then this card is a great choice. If they prefer collecting boxed games, then maybe it isn’t the best option.

Buy from a seller that has clear information regarding region, currency, card value, delivery method, and customer support. Keep the order confirmation until the code is redeemed.

[Browse All Gaming Gift Cards]

Final Verdict

In summary, this Nintendo eShop gift card review is positive as it offers Switch users the ability to purchase digital games, DLC, indie titles, and other content available on the eShop.

Region rules and platform limitation restrictions are the largest downsides. However, if the user plays on Switch and makes purchase digitally, then it becomes useful.

Just make sure the region matches before buying. That check is the difference between a smooth gift and an annoying redemption issue. Overall, this Nintendo eShop gift card review shows that the card is worth buying for Switch players who prefer digital games, DLC, and eShop sales.

[Browse All Nintendo Gift Cards]