Nintendo lets family group members gift digital games

Just in time for the holidays, a new feature will let family group members gift digital games to other members of their group. The feature will be added to Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo Switch™ and Nintendo Switch 2 systems on Nov. 16.

About the new feature

You will be able to gift digital products that you purchase through Nintendo eShop on your device to family group members. This includes eligible games as well as DLC and upgrade packs. As a reminder, anyone with a Nintendo Account can easily set up a family group and add members (up to 8 total). To learn how, visit Nintendo Support.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Some products may not be eligible for digital gifting
• Supervised accounts are not able to send digital gifts
• The number of digital gift purchases allowed in a given period is limited

How to send a gift

To send a gift, follow these steps:

• Visit Nintendo eShop on your device and find the game you'd like to give as a gift.
• From the product page, select the Give as a Gift checkbox, then proceed to purchase.
• Select the gift recipient from the list of members of your family group. You'll also be able to select which of their linked systems to send the gift to.
• After selecting your gift wrap color and other options, you'll complete the purchase as usual.

Please note that gifts are sent to your recipient immediately, so be sure you're ready!

Receiving a gift

Your gift will be delivered to the recipient's HOME Menu. The gift can be selected, accepted, and played right away.

This feature is a great way to celebrate a special occasion with your kids. Happy gifting!

Key Features at a Glance

• Who can be gifted: family group members, with up to 8 members total – anyone with a Nintendo Account can set up a family group and add members.
• What can be gifted: eligible games, DLC and upgrade packs bought through Nintendo eShop – not every product qualifies, so some may not be eligible.
• Recipient and system choice: pick a family group member and one of their linked systems – the gift goes to the right console.
• Gift wrap options: choose a gift wrap color and other options before completing the purchase as usual.
• Immediate delivery: gifts are sent to your recipient immediately – make sure you're ready before you buy.
• Restrictions: supervised accounts cannot send digital gifts, and the number of digital gift purchases allowed in a given period is limited.

Availability

The feature arrives in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 systems on Nov. 16. It will be available on systems supporting system version 23.5.0 or greater, releasing Nov. 9, 2026. The update should automatically download if your system is connected to the internet. You may also verify your current menu version and manually start the update from the System Settings menu. For more details about this system update, visit Nintendo Support.