What Is the Difference Between a Nintendo Account and Nintendo Network ID?
Nintendo Accounts and Nintendo Network IDs are used for different purposes.
Nintendo Account
- A Nintendo Account is used for Nintendo Switch online services (including Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch), smart device applications (like Super Mario Run), off-device software purchases and the My Nintendo rewards programme.
- A Nintendo Account is created off-device (via http://accounts.nintendo.com).
- For additional information about Nintendo Accounts, click here.
Nintendo Network ID
- A Nintendo Network ID (NNID) is created and used on a Wii U console and/or Nintendo 3DS system.
- NNIDs were used for online features (such as online multiplayer or interactions) prior to 8 April 2024.