71
votes
Accepted
How does a Joy-Con know what color it is?
When the Joy Con connects to the Nintendo Switch via Bluetooth, it sends some data as a "handshake" between the console and the controller. In this data, the Joy Con itself reports the HEX Color and ...
- 10.2k
57
votes
Accepted
What is the name of this Nintendo Switch accessory?
The accessory that ships with every Nintendo Switch is called the Joy-Con Grip. It's only purpose is to hold the Joy-Cons, in case you want to use them as a traditional controller. It does not charge ...
- 45.1k
56
votes
Accepted
Taking a Switch on vacation from EU to USA. What region eshop will I be able to access?
It doesn't matter where your Switch came from. They're all the same, and region-free. The only thing that matters, is which region your account belongs to.
If you have a Japanese account, it will ...
- 45.1k
45
votes
What are the pros and cons of digital vs physical games for the Nintendo Switch?
If you have poor internet, then you may prefer physical cartridges, to avoid needing to download large files.
If you are like my parents, you might not trust the internet for purchases and only buy ...
- 1,046
39
votes
Accepted
Nintendo Switch for a transatlantic traveller - what factors to consider?
I brought a Nintendo Switch with me from Europe to Japan and back again, and never noticed any problems.
Electrically speaking, the Nintendo Switch should work all over the world. While it is charged ...
- 45.1k
37
votes
New Switch vs Old Switch - What's the real difference?
This guide has a pretty substantial comparison review between the older and newer models of the Switch.
Hardware
The newer Switch model does have a few upgrades to its hardware. Below is a chart ...
- 48.6k
35
votes
Accepted
What does a little square under the wifi symbol mean?
It’s not a corner, but it is “L”. Based on Reddit threads (here and here), the “L” indicates your Switch is using local communication.
This means your Switch is connected to the internet, but the ...
- 48.6k
34
votes
Accepted
Can you play Nintendo Switch classic games without paying for the yearly subscription?
On an FAQ page by Nintendo:
Can I still play if I don't renew my Nintendo Switch Online membership?
Classic games can only be accessed by a Nintendo Account with an active Nintendo Switch Online ...
- 55.4k
33
votes
What are the pros and cons of digital vs physical games for the Nintendo Switch?
Two factors why sometimes physical is better:
As Trent already said, you can easily share it between friends or resell them if you don't like it. Nintendo doesn't currently have any way to refund ...
- 591
31
votes
Accepted
Can you only have 12 games on the switch?
You can have more than 12 games installed on your Switch, but only the 12 with the most recent activity will show up on your Home Screen.
As soon as you hit your 13th game, a new icon will show up ...
- 45.1k
28
votes
Accepted
Why is my Nintendo Switch Charging So Slowly?
Disclaimer: The Nintendo Switch apparently isn't compliant to USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) standards and may damage the charger or even itself. The same applies to the official charger. Therefore it is ...
- 45.1k
26
votes
Accepted
Can Nintendo Switch games be installed from cartridge?
After going through all of the options on the console, the firm answer is: No.
I highly doubt Nintendo would ever offer the option to install from the Game Cards. They are already way faster than ...
- 2,357
25
votes
Accepted
Can I use the same save file for different copies of a Switch game?
Yes
From Nintendo directly:
Where is game save data Stored?
On Nintendo Switch, game save data is stored on the console’s System Memory.
This will not change whether downloadable software or ...
- 1,171
23
votes
Accepted
License: "Just Dance" hardly usable without a subscription? And do I really have to buy a new release every year (2019, 2024 etc)?
Each Just Dance game has a set list of songs that come included with that version, and typically also includes new game modes. Unfortunately, some of these game modes tend to be restricted to Ubisoft'...
- 8,274
22
votes
Accepted
Is the Nintendo Switch region locked?
The Nintendo Switch is region-free (with the exception of Chinese Nintendo Switches - see below). As the link states:
Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima confirmed the system won’t be region locked,...
- 55.4k
22
votes
Accepted
If I buy and download a game through second Nintendo account do I own it on my main account too?
I'm worried that the game will think it is owned by the second account and not the main one which would be a pain because I hate having multiple accounts with different games on them.
The game will ...
- 1,545
20
votes
Accepted
What's the difference between the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch Lite?
According to the Nintendo website, here are the differences between systems:
Switch Lite is handheld only and cannot be used with a TV or monitor display.
Switch Lite can only play specific Switch ...
- 2,738
18
votes
How can I refund a game purchased on the Nintendo Switch eShop?
Nintendo does not offer refunds for games or DLC purchased on the eShop:
Refund Request for Downloaded Game or DLC (Wrong Game, Didn't Like Game, Accidental Purchase)
Situation:
Refund request for ...
- 45.8k
17
votes
Accepted
How prevalent is the dock scratching the Nintendo Switch's screen?
Don't worry too much about this. I'm pretty sure a big part of the "scratch fiasco" is websites and YouTube channels looking for ad impressions (and money), unfortunately. I've removed/docked my ...
- 9,632
15
votes
Accepted
Breath of the Wild DLC : Account based or Console based?
According to the Nintendo help pages:
While a console is active for your Nintendo Account, everyone on the console can play the games you’ve purchased.
Although this is talking about games, I can'...
- 55.4k
15
votes
Accepted
Is it possible to protect saved games on Nintendo Switch from being played by other users?
Yes but this method would require having a Nintendo Online account.
First, make sure your current save is backed up to the cloud. Once that is done, disable cloud saves. At the end of the night, ...
- 360
15
votes
Can you play Nintendo Switch classic games without paying for the yearly subscription?
No, you have to have an active subscription to play the games. You can play offline (not making connection to the internet, so no checking if your sub is cancelled), but that only last for 7 days.
...
- 23.2k
15
votes
Accepted
Do Nintendo Switch cartridge games get the same updates as digital versions?
Yes, they do.
Whether the game is digital or phyisical, when the Nintendo Switch console is connected online, if a software update is available you will be prompted to download it upon starting the ...
- 41.4k
14
votes
Is the Wii U Pro Controller compatible with the Nintendo Switch?
No.
From the Nintendo Switch FAQ:
What controllers work with Nintendo Switch?
There are multiple controller options for the Nintendo Switch console, including Joy-Con controllers and the ...
- 15.5k
14
votes
Do Nintendo Switch cartridge games get the same updates as digital versions?
When playing a game on Switch with a internet connection, the console always tries to update it to the latest version. There is no difference in where the initial files to install it came from, a ...
- 1,297
13
votes
Accepted
Can a Mii be transferred to the Switch from another Nintendo console?
Yes, but only if you have an Amiibo to transfer it (which it sounds like you already figured out).
Nintendo answered some questions Kotaku had. This was in one of the responses.
You can send/...
- 15.5k
13
votes
Accepted
How do I turn off my nintendo switch controller, without turning off my console itself?
There is a small black button (the sync button on a Pro Controller) between the L/R buttons that switches off a controller as shown here
On the Joy Cons, it is in this location:
In most games, ...
- 473
13
votes
Is it possible to protect saved games on Nintendo Switch from being played by other users?
When you say "It doesn't have to be secure..." just how un-secure are you willing to tolerate?
On my Switch, I have my profile attached to my Nintendo account with Nintendo Online. I then created two ...
- 4,555
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible