With so many fantastic games launching on the Nintendo Switch eShop every week, having quick and easy access to eShop funds is becoming a must. If you're unable to connect your credit card to your account, or would rather avoid doing so for safety reasons, topping up your balance with eShop credit is a perfect way to go.
If you're in that position, this guide is for you, helping you to easily buy Nintendo eShop credit and check for discounted Switch eShop credit online. You might even want to consider nudging your friends and relatives in the direction of this guide ahead of your next birthday, because who doesn't want new games?!
On this page: Where To Buy Nintendo Switch eShop Credit, Gift Cards And Online Membership
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
Nintendo Switch eShop Credit - North America
Here are a handful of easy and efficient ways to pick up Nintendo Switch eShop credit in North America. All of the retailers listed below will send you a code when you complete your purchase which can be redeemed on your Nintendo Switch system – perfect for yourself, or for quickly sending to a friend as a gift.
Nintendo Life Store
If you'd like to buy Switch eShop credit and support us here at Nintendo Life at the same time, you can now stock up at our very own store. Unlike most major retailers, we're sometimes able to offer discounts on our eShop credit vouchers meaning you'll get more credit than you pay for (discount codes will be shown below when available). We have options for both the US and Canada:
US
Canada
Amazon
Amazon is another strong choice for those of you in North America; just like with our own store, codes you buy are delivered to you digitally and they can be purchased in a variety of denominations. Nice and easy!
Best Buy
Best Buy is another popular choice, with several denominations available. Here are some of the most popular:
Nintendo Switch eShop Credit - UK/Europe
Now over to the UK and Europe. The same applies here – the retailers listed below will send you a code when you complete your purchase which can be redeemed on your Nintendo Switch system or sent to a friend as a gift.
Nintendo Life Store
If you'd like to buy Switch eShop credit and support us here at Nintendo Life at the same time, you can now stock up at our very own store. We're sometimes able to offer discounts on our eShop credit codes (discount codes will be shown below when available).
Our store supports visitors from the UK and across Europe – if you're not located in the UK, you can browse our selection by clicking here and select your home country.
Amazon
Amazon UK also offers digital delivery, so it's incredibly quick and easy to buy, receive, and claim your credit:
GAME
A couple of options are also available at GAME for those in the UK:
CDKeys
CDKeys often offer discounts on their eShop credit vouchers, but stock can be temperamental:
Nintendo Switch Online Membership
Of course, it's not just eShop credit you'll need to get the most out of your Switch. A Nintendo Switch Online subscription comes with plenty of benefits like being able to play with friends online and gaining access to libraries of retro classics, and picking up a subscription couldn't be easier.
Below, you'll find options to pick up Individual memberships (when you only need one Switch account to have online access), Family memberships (which allows up to eight different users to enjoy Switch Online's benefits), and Expansion Pack bundles (more details here).
North America
UK/Europe
Nintendo Life Store
Amazon
Nintendo UK Store
Japanese eShop Credit And Online Subs
One of the great things about the Nintendo Switch eShop is that you can create additional accounts that enable you to buy games from other eShop regions. If you live in North America or Europe, we'd definitely recommend creating a Japanese eShop account to take advantage of cool Japanese exclusives which are yet to be released in the west.
Once you have your Japanese account all set up, you can easily buy Japanese eShop credit for your Switch from stores like PlayAsia, again in a variety of denominations. The code will be sent directly to your inbox, so there's no waiting by the mailbox for a physical card to be delivered!
Are you a fan of buying eShop credit to top up your Switch account? Let us know which eShop games you feel are worth spending your virtual cash on with a comment below.
Looking for more? Check out our other Switch buying guides:
Comments 23
A whole article just to tell people they can buy cards at Amazon? If you're going to pay full price, you might as well just buy directly from Nintendo. It's easier.
There are websites and stores that run sales occasionally. Best Buy is one. Target had a deal a few weeks ago where you would receive a Target gift card. That's what I hoped this article was going to talk about.
@bonham2
Lol i clicked right away to look for discounts 🤣🤣🤣
@bonham2 NL couldn't possibly get that affiliate link money if they didn't link to Amazon though.
As a "guide" to purchasing eshop cards and to help "control your spending more effectively", it lacks any objectivity.
I get it. The site wants the affiliate money. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I just wish they'd be a bit more blatant about it, rather than wrapping it up all pretty and calling it a "guide".
The best place to buy Eshop cards use to be www.raise.com Where Eshop cards were 9% off all day every day. But sadly know there only up to 2.8% off or are face value.
Digital credit doesnt seem to go on sale as much as it used to. But for me persoanlly I get 5% off all amazon purchases because I have the amazon credit card and I typically get $1 in digital credit for slow shipping so I typically order a physical card. Then off course the 5% reward on the eshop itself so in total I get 15% off. Other than a sale store credit card rewards are the way to go.
This article was bloomin’ illuminatin’! Well met, mateys!
Um yeah, I can get these at my local grocery store, Gamestop and Best Buy.
I have used offgamers for ages and there prices are pretty good when it comes down to us eshop cards
So…
Will the NLIFE code work on multiple card orders as would possibly buy 2 of them
I'll stick with my system of earning them free through the "do other stuff to earn points for rewards" app, but thanks anyway.
The NLIFE10 deal is over?
I buy on eneba or seagm
Thanks for posting this near eid! Was going to get my best buddy one of these.
@nukatha that's what i was looking for. I guess so.
@nukatha I was wondering to, too bad.
Another bit of unsolicited advice, if you're a gamestop pro member($15/yr) you get a $5 giftcard from gamestop to be used on a lot, every month. I use mine on $10-20 giftcards for xb/ps/nin. With this month and next month's giftcards, I'll be able to grab the shadowrun trilogy for $20, digitally on switch.
ShopTo in the UK have a discount for Family NSO membership to £24.85 (12 mnths). Looking at Deku Deals that seems to be a permanent deal
If only there was a June Nintendo Direct to drop some games to buy.
How long does it take for the eshop card to arive, i got my confirmation enail an hour ago but stil no eshop card.
I might pick up one or 2 from you guys to get some more dlc for the 3ds and maybe some vc games for the Wii U.
@bonham2 Amazon is one US store that allows non-US residents to buy US eShop gift cards. There aren't eShops for many parts of the world, after all. So this is a good article for Switch players who live outside regions not directly covered by Nintendo.
What ever you do don't buy one through CJS CD KEYS, as they still owe me a refund for a voucher I brought 2 months ago! Luckily paypal as a good will gesture gave me the money I lost, but these scammers have taken it and have no intentions of refunding it!! You have been warned!
Any NL discounts on the horizon?
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