Do digital games stay on the Switch or the account?

Do Digital Games Stay on the Switch or the Account?

The Nintendo Switch is a versatile gaming console that allows users to play games both at home and on the go. One of the key features of the Switch is its digital game store, which offers a wide range of games that can be downloaded directly to the console. But what happens to these digital games if you sell your Switch or switch to a new one? Do they stay on the console or do they transfer to a new account?

The Basics

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s cover the basics. When you purchase a digital game on the Nintendo Switch, it is tied to your Nintendo Account. This means that you can access the game from any Switch console that is linked to your account. You can have multiple Switch consoles linked to the same account, and you can switch between them seamlessly.

What Happens When You Sell Your Switch?

If you decide to sell your Switch, you can simply log into your Nintendo Account on a new console and download the games you previously purchased. This is because the games are tied to your account, not the console itself. You can also deregister your old Switch console from your account and register the new one, which will allow you to download the games to the new console.

What About Save Data?

But what about your save data? Will it be lost if you sell your Switch? The answer is no. When you purchase a digital game on the Switch, your save data is stored on the console, not on the game itself. This means that if you sell your Switch, your save data will be preserved and you can access it on a new console.

Archiving vs Deleting Games

But what happens if you delete a game from your Switch? Will it delete the save data as well? The answer is yes, deleting a game will delete the save data. However, there is a way to archive games instead of deleting them. Archiving a game will remove it from your home screen, but it will still be stored on your console and you can access it later. This is a good option if you want to keep the game, but don’t want it to take up space on your home screen.

Table: Comparison of Archiving and Deleting Games

What Happens If You Delete a Digital Game?

If you delete a digital game from your Switch, it will delete all of the save data associated with that game. This means that you will lose any progress you made in the game. However, as mentioned earlier, you can archive the game instead of deleting it, which will preserve the save data.

Conclusion

In conclusion, digital games on the Nintendo Switch are tied to your Nintendo Account, not the console itself. This means that you can access your games from any Switch console linked to your account. Save data is stored on the console, not on the game itself, so it will be preserved even if you sell your Switch. However, deleting a game will delete the save data, so it’s a good idea to archive games instead of deleting them.