Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 Finally Support Digital Game Gifting, But There’s a Catch

Nintendo will begin supporting digital game gifting via the Nintendo eShop on both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, starting November 16.

The feature lets players purchase eligible digital games, DLC, and upgrade packs for other users, removing the need to buy Nintendo eShop gift cards. However, the feature has one strict limitation. Gifted games can only be sent to members of the same Nintendo Account family group.

According to Nintendo’s official announcement, family groups can include up to eight Nintendo Accounts, so players can’t send games directly to friends outside their group. The feature arrives alongside system update 23.5.0, released November 9, which prepares both consoles for digital gifting.

Once the feature launches, players can open the Nintendo eShop, select an eligible game and choose the new ‘Give as a Gift’ option. From there, users select a recipient from their family group, choose the destination console and customize the gift’s wrapping colour before completing their purchase.

The recipient will immediately receive the gift on their console’s Home Menu, where they can accept and download it.

Unlike Nintendo’s existing Virtual Game Cards system, which lets family members temporarily lend digital games, gifting gives the recipient their own purchased copy.

There are additional limitations. Nintendo says supervised accounts cannot send gifts, certain games and downloadable content may be excluded, and purchases will be subject to unspecified gifting limits. Gifts are also delivered immediately, meaning there’s currently no option to schedule a surprise for Christmas morning.

The announcement follows Nintendo’s continued expansion of digital features across its consoles, including Nintendo Switch Online and its growing catalogue of classic games.

For families planning to purchase digital games this holiday season, the feature offers a convenient alternative to physical copies and prepaid gift cards. However, players hoping to send games to anyone on their Nintendo friends list will still need another option.