Here I summarize my personal NS game purchase strategy.
Since NS game prices vary across regions, using multiple accounts can save some RMB while keeping games playable.
How to do it? Here’s the approach:
Gmail multiple email aliases
Recommended alias strategy for multi-region account management. For example, if my email is alanhe@gmail.com, I create aliases like:
- alanhe+us@gmail.com for US
- alanhe+jp@gmail.com for Japan
Nintendo account registration
Use https://accounts.nintendo.com/login to create new accounts. Nicknames can be like:
- AlanHeUS
- AlanHeJP
Notes
- Use consistent passwords
- Ensure country/region matches the account name and email
Add accounts on Nintendo Switch
Entering passwords with controllers is inconvenient, so use the touchscreen. The display name can differ from the account nickname, but I recommend using the same pattern for easier management. Bind the account to the Nintendo account created above and you’re done.
Check target game prices
I recommend the WeChat mini program Master in Hand to check prices across countries.
Purchase on eShop
Log in to the target region’s eShop account and buy the game.
Notes
- Payment methods are usually
PayPalorVisa. - Brazil requires a tax ID, and mainland China Visa cards do not work.
- If using PayPal, you need a proxy. You can connect the NS to your phone and use the phone’s proxy, or connect the NS to a home router with proxy support.
Games I’ve purchased
Here are the games I own/like:
- Ring Fit Adventure
- Cartridge
- Mario Kart 8
- Cartridge
- Just Dance 2021
- Digital
- I also subscribed to Unlimited via Hong Kong,
178 HKD/year, about157.522 CNY. Subscription is purchased by searching for Just Dance in the eShop.
Common questions
- If Just Dance was purchased as a Hong Kong digital version, can Unlimited be purchased in another region? So far, yes. Games purchased in different regions support cross-region play, so there is no restriction. The downside is that different accounts have different game records. If you buy games across multiple regions, it can be tiring to track unless you manage it well.
Final Thoughts
- Switching regions for purchases is a bit troublesome, but also fun.
- I recommend creating accounts for the regions you use most and solving it once and for all.
