As the differences between PAL, NTSC, and NTSC-J appear to fade, one is left with a feeling that regional differences in games are actually extending.
However, there are games that still depend on regional location or, at least, have some differences in versions for different territories.
Users occasionally fiddle with their Steam location in order to access certain content that they could not access otherwise. If you are an avid gaming traveler, you may also prefer your console to have an International appearance.
Therefore, if you have a Nintendo Switch, you may want to change your location to get games that are not available in your region. Let me show you how to do this and why you may wish to proceed with it in the first place.
How to Modify the Nintendo Switch Location
Nintendo Switch has indeed seized the market to become one of the most popular gaming consoles of all time, but changing the location of the game console is not really an easy process.
- Let’s change Nintendo Switch’s mind as to where it is.
- Go down to System and tap on Region.
- You can choose from several regions: Japan, The Americas, Europe, Australia & New Zealand, and Hong Kong & Taiwan & South Korea.
It also became apparent that each region opens up the game to different games and content. However, here’s a heads-up to remember: once you have chosen a new region, you will also be asked to accept the new End User Licence Agreement (EULA).
Since each region has its specific laws, the EULA will not be completely the same for each region. If, for instance, you don’t intend to read through most of the legal scraping, you should at least remind yourself of this.
The Question of eShop Country
If you decide to change the region on your Nintendo Switch, to some extent, you are redirecting your console’s online shopping.
Although it will cost stars, make sure to check your balance on your Nintendo account first. The currency being employed at the moment is geographically restricted.
Make sure that all the money that you currently have is used up because it does not move to the new region with you.
Additionally, do not forget that your credit card and eShop localization should be the same. Thus if your card is from the U. S., then the card will only be compatible with the North American eShop.
This is important for buying games and DLC and downloading purchased items with the new eShop country tied to your payment method.
You always can purchase a gift card in a local shop in case if you do not want to use the credit card from the new region requirements.
Nintendo eShop cards are offered in most of the world’s countries and they do not check the user’s address. This would be helpful if you in transit and wouldn’t be given enough time to obtain a local card.
How to Modify the Country of Your Nintendo Account
To change the country attached to a Nintendo account, the process is as easy as editing a profile on some social networking service.
- Sign in to the Nintendo account site and go to the User Information tab.
- Go to the Profile, which is your Personal Information Center.
- Select your new country in the dropdown list Country/region of residence.
For those in Canada there will be an additional checkbox to tick to show whether one is in Quebec or the rest of the country.
This could be interpreted as a triviality, but such is how it’s done in order to obtain the proper content and services for your area.
What benefits does it provide for Nintendo Switch user to change their current location?
This may at first appear slightly self-explanatory, shifting your geographical environment. But there are advantages because each headquarters’ eShop is somewhat distinct – the games, demos, promos, etc., in one region are different from those of another.
Maybe you wish to get a game particular to a region, such as Europe or Asia, or get an international version unavailable in your country.
It provides you with a Raw look at other region’s gaming cultures as well as trends. For instance, you may find that ‘indie games’ are a thing in Europe and this is a perfect place to get some of the multiple exclusive ‘Japanese RPGs’ if you are able to read them or don’t mind guessing – they will not be translated.
European eShops sometimes get games before other eShops in other regions of the world. It can afford you a look before the rest of the world does so when you check out this version. And, of course, it will be nice to mention extraordinary regional shows and sales.
Additionally, if you are more of a traveler if you intend to relocate to another country, or if you are always posted to different parts of the world, or just stay in other countries for a while, then you would prefer your console to reflect that too.
For instance, you can be residing in the United States but be a student in Japan under a student exchange programme for one year.
As much as possible, you remain logged in with your console set to the U. S., but one day for example, you wish to get local gift cards – there you have a plausible reason as to why the console location has to be changed temporarily.
What to Remember
While gaming from other regions is an interesting endeavor for sure, you should do it with at least a grain of salt. Understand that not all games and DLC (Downloadable Content) are the same across the regions.
Some have region-locking that indicates that they can only be launched on a console that is of the same region as the games. Also, the change of the region can cause temporary loss of some connected services like multiplayer games or leaderboards.
Do not purchase items from a different region; this is not advisable or safe for your account most of the time.
Also, if your Nintendo Switch is moddable, do not move the console, or else you or your Nintendo account will be banned from the console.
Multiple accounts to reach different regions of the world
For instance, one piece of advice that many gamers have used is the creation of multiple Nintendo accounts and the linking of each to a distinct area.
This way, instead of constantly toggling your default country for the eShop, you can use different accounts for different regions, while your console remains in its default region.
Is Not in Use for Region
To be fair, most individuals do not bother changing the region of their Nintendo Switch console; however, there are several reasons we can consider to be quite legitimate.
The majority of games are pretty much the same or at least analogous to those that can be played in other regions but there are locked events and locked games which you would never come across unless you changed the region of your Nintendo Switch console. Note that numerous switches might result in compatibility and online service access issues.
FAQs:
Is it permissible to utilize a payment method that is different from the geographical location of the console?
Nintendo eShops from different regions Sadly no, currency and payment methods vary depending on the region you are in or the region of the Nintendo eShops you are trying to use.
For instance if you are using a credit card originating in the U.S.A you can’t use it with the Japanese eShop. Currently, for the credit cards, the billing country must be the same as the region in which you are accessing the eShop.
Is it possible to have someone else purchase gift cards for me if I am located in a different region?
Yes, it is legal to have a friend purchase gift cards and split the cards especially where the purchase is made through legal means.
But this isn’t encouraged, and it is something that one should do in a very careful manner. Most countries give digital gift cards for the Nintendo eShop, so just be sure to be extra careful that you only buy them from official sources.
