Is Nintendo Switch region locked for physical games?

Are Nintendo Switch game cards region-locked? With the exception of systems and game cards distributed in the Chinese region, Nintendo Switch game cards are not region locked.

Can I play my physical game on another Switch?

Physical games can be played on any system you like. Save data for physical and digital titles can be transferred between systems using Save Cloud Data backup (available to Nintendo Switch Online members) or the on-device transfer process.

Can I buy a physical game from Nintendo eShop?

Buy digital games here and download them directly to your Nintendo Switch™ system (no code required)! Plus, shop physical games, sales, new releases, and more.

How do I buy Nintendo games in another region?

If you want to browse the eShop in another region to play region-locked games, or access regional discounts to save money on Switch games, you'll need to create another Nintendo account and link it to a new profile on your Switch. You cannot switch between eShop regions within the same user account.

Can physical games be converted to digital on Switch?

The physical game does not give you rights to a free digital copy, and never will with Nintendo. For most Switch games a digital copy will be able to use the game save data created by your physical copy. This will allow you to continue playing with the digital copy and you can sell/give away the physical copy.

Is the Nintendo Switch Region Locked?

Is it better to get Switch games digitally or physically?

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.

Can I get a digital copy of a game I already own on disc?

Yes, if it's a game you have a physical disc for. It will install a portion of the game but you still need the disc. You don't need the disc if you have purchased the game on the PS Store and downloaded it. If you have psplus those games are also digital downloads, for which you don't need a disc.

Why are Switch games region locked?

Nintendo Switch game cards are not region locked. Although Nintendo Switch software sold in regions outside of the Americas will work with Nintendo Switch systems sold in the Americas, we have not tested all overseas software with systems from all regions and cannot guarantee full service and support.

What happens if I change my Switch region?

The Nintendo Switch eShop will always match the country setting for your Nintendo Account. If you need to change your Nintendo Account country, you will access the Nintendo eShop for that country the next time you connect on Nintendo Switch.

Why are Switch games cheaper physical?

When you buy a physical game disc, it doesn't cost the platform provider anything for it to sit on your shelf. New digital games partially subsidize the upkeep of older games that may not be selling as much anymore.

Can you transfer physical Switch games to SD card?

*Game save data is only stored in the system memory, so it can't be moved to the microSD card.

Why is Nintendo eShop more expensive than physical?

But the Nintendo eShop tends to show the price of the game after taxes, while the store will show the price before taxes on the shelf. So this might be why the number you see is higher, and it might actually be the same as the price you're seeing in the store once you actually pay.

Can I use the same game card on two switches?

A: You need 2 game cartridges to play together on local if you buy 2 switch consoles.

Does region matter for Nintendo Switch games?

Yes, games are not region locked (except for China consoles). Do note that however, it may support different languages and/or have other changes (for example censorship, region-specific contents & events, etc.) compared to the one sold in your region.

Can you get banned for changing region on Switch?

Definitely not. Switching region is your own choice. You can play in any region you like. No one have a right, and no one will punish you for doing it.

How do I fix region locked games?

Go to Profile & System > Settings > System > Language & location. Select your desired location from the “Location” list. Select “Restart now” to apply the changes and reboot the console.

Will Japanese Switch games work in USA?

With the exception of systems and game cards distributed in the Chinese region, Nintendo Switch game cards are not region locked.

Can you play a Japanese game on an American Switch in English?

Yes. 100 percent. The switch console is region unlocked. Meaning you can play games from different countries on a console from a different country.

Can I use a Japanese Nintendo Switch on America?

Yes, you can use a Japanese Nintendo Switch outside of Japan. The Nintendo Switch is region-free, which means that you can play games from any region on the console. However, you may need to change the language settings on your console to match the language of the region where you are using it.

What happens if you have a Digital and physical copy of a game?

If you have both physical & digital, the switch will play the game from the cart when the cart is inserted. The switch doesn't care where the game comes from. The save data is stored separately from the game on the Switch's internal memory.

What happens if you own a game digitally but then insert a physical copy of the same game into that console?

The short answer is, nothing bad happens if you insert a cartridge for a game you already own digitally. And nothing bad will happen if you own the game physically, but buy digitally later on.

Is it illegal to copy a game?

Video game piracy is the unauthorized copying and distributing of video game software, and is a form of copyright infringement.

Are there downsides to digital switch games?