Some players will eventually want to sell or refund a Nintendo Switch digital game. It’s inevitable, but is doing so even possible is the question.
Normally, digital Nintendo Switch games cannot be sold or refunded once purchased. All Nintendo Switch digital game purchases are final, and Nintendo does not refund purchases made by mistake or if a player does not like the game.
Only when a game has severe quality issues can a person refund a Nintendo Switch game.
Today, I’ll explain how to contact Nintendo support to ask for a game refund, how often they grant refunds, and essential steps you should perform before buying a game.
If you want to learn how to get the best deals on Nintendo Switch digital games and save money, view this detailed guide I wrote by clicking here.
Can You Refund Nintendo Switch Games?
Nintendo refund policy states all sales are final, which means Nintendo Switch games cannot be refunded once purchased.
Digital software cannot be refunded due to disliking the product, being accidentally purchased by anyone with access to your account, or most other common reasons.
Normally, Nintendo Switch games cannot be refunded once purchased
However, Nintendo does provide refunds on rare occasions that mainly revolve around widely criticized games for a lack of quality.
Customer support must be contacted in these circumstances and will usually respond by expressing that the refund will be a one-time allowance for your account.
Reasons Nintendo Won’t Offer Refunds
Nintendo does not offer refunds for
- mistaken purchases
- purchased made by someone else on your account (friends, family)
- games you don’t like
- short games
- games you found offensive
- all other common and uncommon reasons
Reasons Nintendo May Offer Refunds
Nintendo may offer refunds in rare instances if a Nintendo Switch game has
- extreme lack of quality
- seizure inducing issues
- games-breaking bugs
- catastrophic glitches
- widely criticized problems
For example, Nintendo refunded purchases of Sonic Colors Ultimate in September 2021 due to the game’s extreme bugs and glitches.
@CaptainVXX on Twitter stated Nintendo refunded Sonic Colors when asked:
“Refunded Sonic Colors Ultimate on [S]witch. If you plan on asking for a refund[,] Nintendo actually is willing to give it since apparently they are aware of the issues now. Please let this be known.”
Refunding Nintendo Switch games is not impossible but is certainly very rare due to the company not wanting players to abuse the system.
If you’re account has been hacked or compromised, absolutely contact Nintendo Support to let them know and ask for a refund. This is a valid use of customer support in regards to refunds.
Overall, legitimate refunds will be allowed under the right circumstances, but usually with the caveat that it will be a one-time refund for a player.
How To Refund Nintendo Switch Games
Digital Nintendo Switch games can be refunded by contacting Nintendo support. Customer support accepts refund requests via text, live chat, email, or phone call and is open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT daily (except for major holidays).
Explain your reasoning to have your refund request heard by Nintendo.
Digital Nintendo Switch games can be refunded by contacting Nintendo support
How To Contact Nintendo Support
- visit Nintendo’s support page by clicking here
- choose your contact method (chat, text message, phone, email help ticket)
- fill out the form or explain your refund reason
- wait for a response
Once more, Nintendo’s refund policy states that it does not offer refunds:
“We are unable to provide refunds or exchanges for mistaken purchases.”
Keep Nintendo’s refund policy in mind when you are contacting Nintendo support. Hope for the best and only ask for refunds when a game’s quality is in question or if your account has been legitimately hacked.
Understand that Nintendo normally doesn’t provide refunds for purchase mistakes or common reasons, and you won’t walk away disappointed.
How To Prevent Yourself From Purchasing A Nintendo Switch Game You Don’t Like
Since Nintendo rarely provides refunds, perform extensive research on a Nintendo Switch game before purchasing it. Read Reddit reviews from owners of the game, watch 2 or 3 video impressions on YouTube, and look-over the game’s product description before buying.
Perform extensive research on a Nintendo Switch game before purchasing
I’d also suggest searching for the game on Metacritic’s website.
This is a review aggregate site that combines a game’s review scores (user and industry-wide) to provide a complete understanding of a game’s perception by the gaming community.
How To Check A Nintendo Switch Game’s Quality (Check List)
Follow this checklist for every game you want to buy on Nintendo Switch.
Search the game’s name on each website listed below to obtain valid information about the game, how it plays, and its overall quality.
This will help you make an informed purchasing decision, so make this process a habit going forward.
- Read the game’s product description on Nintendo.com
- Read Reddit reviews by searching the game’s Reddit page
- Read user review and check aggregate review scores on Metacritic.com
- Watch video impressions and reviews (at least 2 or 3) on YouTube.com
- Search “GAME NAME review” or “GAME NAME issues” on Google.com
- Download the game’s demo if available. Check for demos at Dekudeals.com
- Buy a physical copy if available (this allows you to refund a game if needed)
*Replace GAME NAME with the name of the game you are purchasing
The next time you want to get a game on Nintendo Switch, remember to perform a complete search on the game to prevent disappointment and wanting a refund.
How To Prevent Others From Making Nintendo Switch Digital Purchases On Your Account
You can prevent others from making Nintendo Switch digital purchase on your account by setting up restrictions, not saving payment methods, and requiring passwords to access the Nintendo Switch eShop digital store.
These three major tips will reduce the likelihood others (such as family, friends, and strangers) will have access to your Nintendo Account and Nintendo Switch eShop.
1) Restrict Nintendo Switch eShop Access
If you are a parent or guardian, you can restrict your child’s account from accessing the Nintendo Switch eShop by managing your child’s Nintendo Account on the Nintendo website.
This will prevent a child in your household from accidentally purchasing digital games on their account that may be tied to yours.
Access your Nintendo Account settings by visiting the Nintendo website here.
2) Do Not Save Payment Information
To prevent others from buying games on your Nintendo Account, do not save your credit card or PayPal payment information on the Nintendo Switch eShop. Delete your payment methods if you have previously saved them.
do not save your credit card or PayPal payment information
Having your payment options saved is a convenience for sure. You no longer need to reenter your credit card information or PayPal login each time you want to buy a new game thus saving time.
Anyone with access to your Nintendo Switch, however, can enter the digital store and buy games since your payment information has already been stored.
For this reason, it is highly suggested you do not save your payment methods to prevent unauthorized purchases.
If you never saved your payment method, then you have nothing to worry about.
If you previously saved a payment method and want to delete it, you must first visit the Nintendo Switch eShop:
- view Account Information
- select your profile name
- navigate to “Credit-Card Information” or “PayPal Account”
- delete and unlink any saved accounts
3) Require Password For Nintendo Switch eShop
Require the Nintendo Switch to ask for your Nintendo Account password each time you use the Nintendo Switch eShop digital store. Only those with your password will be able to access the shop to purchase software, so do not share your password with anyone.
Require the Nintendo Switch to ask for your Nintendo Account password
You can require a password for Nintendo Switch eShop access by
- logging into the Nintendo Switch eShop
- viewing Account Information
- selecting your profile name
- navigating to “Password-Entry Settings”
- changing settings to “Enter” for “Starting Nintendo eShop”
You will now need to enter your password whenever you use the Nintendo Switch eShop. This will prevent unwanted purchases on your Nintendo Account.
Follow these three essential tips to reduce purchases made by others on your Nintendo Switch account.
Can You Sell Digital Nintendo Switch Games?
Digital Nintendo Switch games cannot be sold once purchased. Once bought, digital Nintendo Switch games tie to the Nintendo Account a player used to purchase the game. And the purchased game cannot be transferred to another account or player for any reason.
Digital Nintendo Switch games cannot be sold once purchased
The Nintendo Switch does not have a marketplace to sell previously purchased games, which is the norm for digital purchases across the industry.
However, digital game codes can be purchased and re-sold before the code’s redeemed on the Nintendo Switch eShop digital store.
What To Do If You No Longer Want A Digital Game Code
If you have acquired a Nintendo Switch game code you no longer want or regret purchasing, you can first ask for a refund from the retailer you purchased the game code. Or, you can give it away or sell it on an online marketplace site.
A digital game can no longer be sold or given away after its code has been redeemed on the Nintendo Switch eShop. Make sure you absolutely want to play the game before redeeming its code.
Keep this in mind and make sure you perform the research outlined in this guide before buying or redeeming your next Nintendo Switch game.
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(Screenshots taken by me. Images sourced from product pages, websites, or social media and are credited appropriately. Logos, images, etc. belong to their respective owners. All information current at time of publication.)
SOURCE: Nintendo
