Nintendo Network ID

Use your Nintendo Network ID on Nintendo 3DS!

By registering a Nintendo Network ID, you will be able to join the community on Miiverse, download demos* and free software from Nintendo eShop, and more. If you own a Wii U and a Nintendo 3DS system, you can also combine your Nintendo eShop balances.


With a Nintendo Network ID you can:

  • Download demos* and free software from Nintendo eShop
  • Discuss your favourite games, share screenshots and more with the growing community on Miiverse
  • Combine your Nintendo eShop balances on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS

You won't need a Nintendo Network ID to purchase software and add-on content from Nintendo eShop. However, you will need to register a Nintendo Network ID in order to download free software, demos* and downloadable videos.

Important information about creating a Nintendo Network ID

You can only register a single Nintendo Network ID to each Nintendo 3DS system. It is not possible to register multiple Nintendo Network IDs on a single system.

A Nintendo Network ID registered on a Nintendo 3DS system cannot be registered to another Nintendo 3DS system. If you wish to transfer your Nintendo Network ID and balance to another Nintendo 3DS system, this is only possible by performing a system transfer.

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Users who have connected their Wii U to the Internet

If you have connected your Wii U to the Internet, we strongly recommend you register the same Nintendo Network ID on Nintendo 3DS. Using the same Nintendo Network ID on both systems will combine their Nintendo eShop balances.

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1. Previously, your Nintendo eShop balances on different systems were separate.

2. But if you register with the same Nintendo Network ID as you did on your Wii U…

3. The balances from both systems will be combined.

Using a different Nintendo Network ID to the one created on Wii U

If you register a different Nintendo Network ID on Nintendo 3DS to the one you use on Wii U, you will not be able to combine your balances.

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1. Your Nintendo eShop balances on different systems are separate.

2. If you register a different Nintendo Network ID to the one you use on Wii U…

3. Your balances will not be combined.

You can only share the Nintendo Network ID registered on your Wii U with a single Nintendo 3DS family system. It is not possible to combine the Nintendo eShop balances of multiple Nintendo 3DS family systems.

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Join an ever-growing community

Create a Nintendo Network ID and you can start sharing your in-game experiences on Miiverse. Share screenshots, handwritten messages and more with other players all over the world!

Learn more about Miiverse on Nintendo 3DS

Parental Controls

You can restrict children's access to Miiverse, Nintendo eShop, and other Nintendo Network features by using Parental Controls.

Learn more about Parental Controls

*Wireless internet connection required. The registration of Nintendo Network ID and acceptance of the network related terms and privacy policies required.