How To Change Location on Nintendo Switch

With the distinctions between PAL, NTSC, and NTSC-J essentially gone, regional differences between games seem to be growing ever smaller. Yet, some games are still region-specific or differ slightly depending on where you live. It’s not uncommon for gamers to change their Steam location to gain access to different content. Also, if you’re a globe-trotting gamer, you might want your console to reflect that. So, if you have a Nintendo Switch, you might want to change its location to access new games unavailable in your region. So, let’s look at how you can do this and why you might want to do it.

How to Change Your Location in Nintendo Switch

Let’s make your Nintendo Switch think it’s in a different location. Here is how you can do it from your console settings:

1. Tap Settings on your Nintendo Switch’s main menu.
   
2. Scroll down to System, then hit Region.
   
3. You can choose from several regions: Japan, The Americas, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, and Hong Kong/Taiwan/South Korea.

Each region opens doors to different games and content. However, here’s a heads-up to remember: after you pick your new area, you must agree to a new End User Licence Agreement (EULA). Considering each region has different laws, the EULA will have slight variations. Most people may skip through the legal jargon, but just in case you ever need to take a look at it, this is worth knowing.

The eShop Country Question

When you change the region on your Nintendo Switch, in some ways, you are re-routing your console’s online shopping destination. Before you make the switch, check your Nintendo account balance. The currency you’re using at the moment is region-specific. Ensure any existing funds are spent before you make the change because they won’t transfer over to the new region.

Also, remember that your credit card and eShop region need to match. So, if your card’s from the U.S., it will only work in the North American eShop. This matters for purchasing games and DLC and downloading your purchased content, so your payment method and the new eShop country should align.

You can always buy gift cards at a local store if you want to bypass the credit card from the new region requirements. Nintendo eShop gift cards are available in many regions worldwide and don’t require an address verification. This is especially convenient if you’re traveling and won’t stay long enough to get a local card.

How to Change Your Nintendo Account Country

Altering the country linked to your Nintendo account is as simple as updating your profile on a social media site.

1. Log into the Nintendo account website and go to User Information.
   
2. Click Edit next to Profile, which is your personal info hub.
   
3. Pick your new country in the Country/region of residence dropdown.
   

For those in Canada, you’ll have an extra step to indicate whether you’re in Quebec or elsewhere. This might seem like a small detail, but it’s what you must do to get the right content and services for your region.

Why Change Your Location on Nintendo Switch?

Changing your location might seem a bit redundant at first. But there are benefits to doing so because each region’s eShop has something different – different games, demos, promos, and more. Perhaps you want to buy a game only released in Europe or get a special edition that only came out in Japan.

It gives you a peek into other region’s gaming cultures and trends. For example, you might discover indie games popular in Europe or get some of the many exclusive Japanese RPGs (if you can read them or don’t mind guessing – they will not be translated).

European eShops sometimes get games earlier than other regions. Checking out this version can give you a peek before the rest of the world. And let’s not forget about special regional events and sales.

Furthermore, if you travel frequently, plan on moving to a different part of the world, or even live in other regions for extended periods, you’d want your console to reflect that. For example, you might live in the US but go on a student exchange in Japan for a year. You can keep your console set to the U.S. for the most part, but one day, decide to get local gift cards – there’s a perfect reason to change your console location temporarily.

What to Keep in Mind

Dabbling into gaming from other regions is definitely fun, but you should approach it with caution. Remember, not all games and DLC (Downloadable Content) are equal across regions. Some are region-locked, which means they’ll only work if your console’s region matches the game’s region. Also, switching regions might temporarily affect your access to online services, like multiplayer gaming or leaderboards. Be careful about buying from a different region; this is not always encouraged or safe for your account. Additionally, if your Nintendo Switch is moddable, you should avoid changing its location, as you risk getting the console or your Nintendo account banned.

Consider these limitations and weigh them against the excitement of accessing new content. It’s a balance between exploring new gaming frontiers and maintaining a semblance of consistency in your account.

Managing Multiple Accounts for Different Regions

One good tip for avid gamers who want to explore different regional content is to consider setting up multiple Nintendo accounts and linking each to a different region. This way, rather than repeatedly switching your default account, you can switch between accounts to access specific regional eShops without changing your console’s region.

Region Switch Is Off

Many people don’t think about switching their Nintendo Switch console region, but there are some valid reasons to do so. Most games are the same or at least similar across the board, but there are also exclusive events and region-locked games that you may never know about unless you set your Nintendo Switch console to a different region. Remember to keep an eye on compatibility and online service access when switching regions.

Besides changing your Nintendo Switch’s location, you should learn how to turn 2FA on or off for your Nintendo account.

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