To pre-order applicable software, locate the software on Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo Switch console or on the official Nintendo website. Select Proceed to Pre-Order on your console or Pre-Order Now on the website and follow the on-screen steps to finish your pre-order.

Starting from seven days before the software’s release date, your selected payment method will be processed and the software will be downloaded to your console. You’ll be able to start using the software after downloading a small update that becomes available when the software is released. If the payment is not processed successfully, your pre-order will be cancelled.

You will be charged for the full amount of the purchase starting from seven days before the software’s release date. You can select or change your preferred payment method to use for pre-orders and automatic renewal through your Account Information in Nintendo eShop or via Shop Menu on accounts.nintendo.com. If you have not set a payment method yet, you will be prompted to select your preferred payment method (credit card, PayPal or available Nintendo eShop funds) when you place the pre-order.

Statutory right to cancel

When you pre-order a game or DLC, you have a statutory right to cancel this contract within 14 days without giving any reasons. The cancellation period will expire 14 days after the day of the conclusion of the contract. This statutory right to cancel expires earlier in respect to contracts as regards the supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium if we have begun with our performance after you have expressly consented that we can begin with our performance before the cancellation period ends and you have acknowledged that you thereby lose your right to cancel. Our performance will not begin before the software is released and will begin when a small downloadable update becomes available on the release date, enabling you to start using the software.

Voluntary right to cancel

Without prejudice to your statutory right to cancel, we grant you an additional, voluntary right to cancel a pre-order any time before the non-playable version of the software is downloaded to your console (up to seven days before the software’s release date). This voluntary right to cancel does not affect your statutory right to cancel as described above or any statutory warranty rights. For steps to exercise this voluntary right to cancel your pre-order, see How to Exercise the Voluntary Right to Cancel a Pre-Order for Software on Nintendo eShop.

Yes. When you pre-order software, you will have the option to use points for a discount. If you choose to do so, all available Gold Points you have at the time payment is processed can be used towards the purchase, up to the full purchase price.

Eligible upcoming titles can be pre-ordered using a voucher. You can view the current list of eligible titles on Nintendo eShop.

Note: A voucher cannot be used for a pre-order if it expires before the release date for the product.

When a game or DLC is downloaded as part of a pre-order, the full content is downloaded to your console. This means you will not need to wait for the content to download at the time it is released. You’ll see an icon for the game on the HOME Menu, but you will not be able to launch it until it is officially released and a small update has been downloaded.

If an update is needed and your Nintendo Switch console is connected to the internet, you will be prompted to download the update data once you launch the software. Additionally, if your console is in sleep mode and connected to the internet, the update data will download and install automatically.

Most software titles are released at 00:00 on their release date. However, some may become available later during the day.

Occasionally, software may offer bonus content for those who purchase it before release. Any bonus download codes will not be available until payment is processed and the software is downloaded to your console, starting from seven days before the software's release. After payment is processed, your bonus download code(s) will be listed on the receipt that is emailed to you and in your purchase history viewable on the Nintendo Account website.

A pre-order can be cancelled for a number of reasons, including if payment could not be processed due to insufficient funds or an expired credit card, etc. If your pre-order was cancelled, you can still place a new pre-order or purchase the software when it is released. For more information on the reason your pre-order was cancelled, see Nintendo eShop Pre-Order was Cancelled.

Your pre-order will be suspended, or placed on hold, if your Nintendo Switch console was sent in for repairs and was deregistered as the primary console for your Nintendo Account. Your pre-order can be reinstated if you link your Nintendo Account to a Nintendo Switch console and access Nintendo eShop. For more information, see Nintendo eShop Pre-Order is Suspended.