Nintendo eShop Cards & Switch Games

Nintendo eShop gift cards are prepaid digital codes that add funds directly to your Nintendo Account wallet. Once redeemed, you can use the balance to purchase games, DLC, in-game currency, and subscriptions from the Nintendo eShop on your Switch console or through Nintendo's website.

The cards come in three standard US denominations:

• $10 — ideal for indie games, small DLC packs, or topping off an existing balance
• $25 — covers most indie titles and mid-priced digital games
• $50 — enough for a single full-price first-party Nintendo title

Unlike physical game cartridges, eShop credit never expires once it has been added to your account. This makes gift cards a practical way to budget your gaming spending or take advantage of sales without needing a credit card on file. Parents often use them to give children a fixed amount to spend, keeping purchases predictable.

One important detail: Nintendo eShop cards are region-locked. A US-denomination card only works on a Nintendo Account set to the United States. If your account is set to a European or Japanese region, you will need a card matching that region. Always confirm the region before purchasing.

You can compare current prices for a Nintendo eShop Gift Card $50, a Nintendo eShop Card $25, or a Nintendo eShop Card $10 across multiple trusted sellers right here on PcForest.

Nintendo Switch Online is required for online multiplayer in most Switch games and comes with additional perks depending on which tier you choose. There are two main plans, each available as an Individual or Family membership.

Individual vs Family Membership

The Individual plan covers a single Nintendo Account. The Family plan supports up to 8 Nintendo Accounts under one subscription, making it significantly cheaper per person for households with multiple Switch users.

Standard vs Expansion Pack

The Standard tier includes online multiplayer, cloud save backups, access to a library of classic NES and SNES games, and the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app for voice chat. The Expansion Pack adds N64 and Sega Genesis game libraries, plus access to paid DLC content for select games (such as the Animal Crossing: New Horizons DLC and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass) at no additional cost.

Here is how the plans compare:

For most players, the Standard tier provides solid value, especially at the family level where it works out to under $5 per person annually. The Expansion Pack is worth considering if you are interested in retro N64 or GBA titles, or if the included DLC covers games you already own and play.

You can compare prices for Nintendo Switch Online 12 Months from verified sellers on PcForest to find the lowest available rate.

Redeeming a Nintendo eShop code takes just a few steps. You can do it directly on your Switch console or through Nintendo's website.

On the Nintendo Switch Console

1. From the HOME menu, open the Nintendo eShop.
2. Select the account you want to add funds to (if you have multiple users on the console).
3. Click Enter Code on the left sidebar.
4. Type in the 16-character code exactly as it appears, including any letters and numbers. The code is not case-sensitive.
5. Confirm the redemption. The funds will appear in your account balance immediately.

Through the Nintendo Website

1. Go to ec.nintendo.com/redeem in your browser.
2. Sign in with the Nintendo Account where you want the funds applied.
3. Enter the 16-character code and click Next.
4. Review the details and confirm. The balance updates instantly.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Double-check that the code region matches your Nintendo Account region. A US code will not work on a European account.
• If a code is not accepted, make sure you are not confusing similar-looking characters like the letter O and the number 0, or the letter I and the number 1.
• Codes purchased from authorized resellers should work immediately. If you receive an error stating the code has already been used, contact the seller's support team right away with a screenshot of the error.

Using eShop gift cards to fund your Nintendo game purchases offers several practical advantages over paying with a credit card directly.

Budget control. Loading a fixed amount onto your account prevents overspending. Once the balance is used up, you stop buying. This is especially useful for shared family accounts or for parents managing children's spending.

No payment details stored. Using gift card credit means you do not need to keep a credit or debit card linked to your Nintendo Account. This reduces the risk of unauthorized charges and simplifies account security.

Stacking discounts. The real savings opportunity comes from combining discounted gift cards with Nintendo eShop sales. If you purchase a Nintendo eShop Gift Card $50 at a 5-8% discount through a trusted reseller, and then use that credit during a Nintendo eShop sale where games are already 30-50% off, your effective discount increases substantially. A $60 game on a 33% sale costs $40 on the eShop. If you paid $46 for $50 of eShop credit, that $40 game effectively cost you around $37.

Gold Points bonus. Every digital purchase on the Nintendo eShop earns Gold Points worth 5% of the purchase price. These points can be applied toward future purchases, creating a small but consistent additional discount on every transaction.

The main limitation is that eShop credit cannot be transferred between accounts or refunded. Only load what you are confident you will spend.

Nintendo is famously conservative with discounts, especially on first-party titles. However, the eShop does run several predictable sale events throughout the year where you can find meaningful savings.

Nintendo Direct Sales (February, June, September). Following major Nintendo Direct presentations, Nintendo often puts featured titles on sale for one to two weeks. These are some of the best opportunities to grab first-party games at reduced prices.

E3 / Summer Game Fest (June). Even as the traditional E3 format has changed, Nintendo typically runs a digital showcase in June accompanied by a major eShop sale. Expect discounts on a wide range of titles from both Nintendo and third-party publishers.

Mario Day (March 10). Nintendo regularly celebrates MAR10 Day with deals on Mario franchise titles. If you are looking to pick up Mario Kart, Super Mario Odyssey, or other Mario games at a discount, this is the day to watch.

Black Friday / Cyber Monday (Late November). This is historically the deepest discount window for Nintendo products. First-party titles that rarely go on sale may see 30-40% reductions, and bundles with eShop credit sometimes appear.

Holiday Sale (Late December - Early January). The end-of-year sale overlaps with the holiday season and typically includes hundreds of discounted titles across all genres.

Spring and Summer Sales (April and July-August). These mid-year events focus heavily on third-party and indie titles, often at 50-75% off.

The best strategy is to maintain eShop credit in your account ahead of these known sale windows. Purchase a Nintendo eShop Card $25 or Nintendo eShop Gift Card $50 at a discount beforehand so you are ready to buy when prices drop.

Nintendo first-party titles hold their value longer than games on any other platform. A game like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate may still be close to full price years after release. That makes every discount count.

Here are some of the most popular Switch titles and how to get the best deals on them:

• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — Rarely discounted below $40. Watch for Nintendo Direct sales and Black Friday.
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — The best-selling Switch game of all time. Occasionally drops to $40 during holiday events. The Booster Course Pass DLC is included with the Switch Online Expansion Pack.
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate — Look for sales during Nintendo Direct events and competitive gaming showcases.
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Frequently on sale during seasonal eShop events. The Happy Home Paradise DLC is included with the Expansion Pack tier of Switch Online.
• Super Mario Odyssey — One of the more commonly discounted first-party titles, sometimes available for $30-35 during major sales.
• Splatoon 3 — Watch for discounts around Splatfest events and seasonal sales.

Third-party titles like Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley, Hades, and Celeste are regularly discounted to $5-10 during indie-focused sales, making them exceptional value.

The most effective approach combines discounted eShop credit with sale timing. Load up your account using a Nintendo eShop Card $10 or larger denomination from a reseller offering below face value, then wait for the next scheduled sale event to maximize your savings.

PcForest aggregates Nintendo eShop gift card and Switch Online subscription prices from multiple verified sellers, letting you compare rates in one place. Instead of checking Kinguin, Gamivo, Eneba, and other marketplaces individually, you can see all available prices side by side.

Each listing shows the seller, the current price, and a direct link to purchase. We only include sellers with established track records and buyer protection policies, so you can shop with confidence.

Whether you are looking for a Nintendo eShop Gift Card $50 to fund a major game purchase, a Nintendo eShop Card $10 for a quick indie pickup, or a Nintendo Switch Online 12 Months subscription at the best rate, PcForest helps you find the lowest price without the legwork. Prices update regularly, so it is always worth checking back before you buy.