As a tech geek and avid Nintendo Switch gamer, I know all too well the struggle of wanting to expand my game library without blowing my budget. With AAA titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom retailing for $69.99, costs can quickly add up. It‘s no wonder so many Switch owners scour the internet for free Nintendo eShop codes.
In this ultimate guide, I‘ll share my expertise on the realities of free eShop codes in 2024. I‘ll cover legitimate ways to earn codes, shady practices to avoid, and smart strategies to maximize your gaming budget. Let‘s jump in!
Why Are Switch Owners Seeking Out Free eShop Codes?
To understand the demand for free eShop codes, we first need to look at just how popular the Nintendo Switch has become. Since launching in 2017, the Switch has sold over 125 million units worldwide as of March 2024. It‘s now the third best-selling console of all time, surpassing the PlayStation 4 and closing in on the Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2.
Top Nintendo Switch Games by Sales (as of March 2024):
| Game | Release Date | Global Sales (Millions) |
|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | April 2017 | 52.0 |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons | March 2020 | 45.3 |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | December 2018 | 32.1 |
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | March 2017 | 31.5 |
| Pokémon Sword/Shield | November 2019 | 25.9 |
Data source: Nintendo financial reports
With such a huge install base and a library of must-play exclusives, it‘s no surprise that Switch owners are always looking for ways to get games cheaper, or better yet, for free. A 2023 survey by GamingSmart found that 67% of Switch players have searched for free eShop codes online at least once.
How Much Money is Spent on the Nintendo Switch eShop?
While many Switch owners hope to score free codes, the reality is that Nintendo‘s digital storefront is big business. In fiscal year 2023, digital sales made up a whopping 53.3% of Nintendo‘s software sales revenue. That‘s around $6.2 billion spent on digital games, DLC, microtransactions, and subscriptions.
Nintendo FY2023 Software Sales:
- Digital Sales: $6.2 billion (53.3%)
- Physical Sales: $5.4 billion (46.7%)
Data source: Nintendo FY2023 financial report
Clearly, Nintendo has a huge financial incentive to encourage spending in the eShop. Giving away eShop codes for free would undercut their digital revenue stream. As much as we‘d all love a free $50 code, it‘s not a realistic business model for Nintendo.
Legitimate Ways to Earn Free Nintendo eShop Gift Cards
While there‘s no magic code generator, there are a few legitimate ways to grind for eShop gift cards. These methods won‘t make you rich overnight, but with consistent effort, you can earn enough points to redeem for codes. Here are some of the best options:
1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a popular "get-paid-to" site where you earn points (SB) for completing various online tasks. You can earn SB by:
- Taking surveys
- Watching sponsored video content
- Using their search engine
- Shopping online through their affiliate links
- Playing games
- Signing up for free trials
As of 2024, a $10 Nintendo eShop gift card costs 1,000 SB, while a $50 card is 5,000 SB. Based on Swagbucks‘ public data, active users earn an average of 100-300 SB per day, so it would take 17-50 days to earn a $50 card. However, your mileage may vary. /r/swagbucks is a helpful resource.
2. MyPoints
MyPoints is another rewards site that offers Nintendo eShop gift cards. You can earn points through many of the same methods as Swagbucks:
- Completing surveys
- Shopping online
- Watching videos
- Playing games
- Reading sponsored emails
Currently, a $10 Nintendo code costs 1,590 points. MyPoints claims active members can earn up to 600 points per day, though 100-200 is more typical based on user reports. At that rate, it would take 8-16 days of consistent effort to reach the 1,590 point threshold.
3. Microsoft Rewards
Do you regularly use Microsoft products like Bing, Edge browser, or Xbox? If so, you can rack up reward points automatically. Microsoft Rewards gives you points for web searches, quizzes, daily/weekly challenges, and even playing Xbox games.
While Microsoft doesn‘t offer Nintendo gift cards directly, you can redeem your points for Amazon, Walmart, Target, etc. gift cards, then use those cards to purchase Nintendo codes. Currently, a $5 Amazon card is 5,250 points. Microsoft caps your earning potential at around 270 points per day.
Beware of Nintendo eShop Code Generator Scams
For every legitimate rewards program, there are dozens of scam sites waiting to prey on unsuspecting gamers. A quick YouTube search for "free Nintendo eShop codes" returns an endless stream of clickbait videos promising free $100 codes if you just complete a survey or download a program.
These eShop code "generators" are without a doubt a scam. No such program exists, as it would effectively enable piracy and theft from the eShop. At best, the fake generators spit out invalid random codes. At worst, you could end up with malware on your device and your personal info stolen.
In 2022, thousands of TikTok users got duped by a convincing "free eShop codes" phishing scam promising free codes in exchange for completing surveys and giving up personal data. TikTok removed the original accounts, but not before users shared their identities with the scammers.
Always think critically before trusting giveaways that seem too good to be true. Huge tech companies like Nintendo aren‘t giving away their digital goods for free. If you spot an obvious scam, report it to help protect other gamers.
How to Redeem a Nintendo Switch eShop Code
Let‘s say you beat the odds and got your hands on a legitimate eShop code. Here‘s how to redeem it on your Switch console:
- From the home screen, launch the Nintendo eShop app.
- Select your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Choose "Enter Code" on the left sidebar.
- Type in the 16-digit code and select "OK" to confirm.
- Once redeemed, the funds will be added to your eShop balance immediately.
You can also redeem codes directly on Nintendo.com. Just log in, go to "Shop Menu," and select "Redeem Code."
If you receive an error message when trying to redeem a code, double check that you‘ve entered it correctly with no typos or extra spaces. If it‘s still not working, the code may have already been used or could be expired. Contact the retailer you received the code from for assistance.
How to Get Discounted Nintendo eShop Gift Cards
If grinding reward sites for months to get a "free" code doesn‘t sound like your jam, you can still get eShop credit cheaper than MSRP. Check out these tactics to save money on gift cards:
Wait for major retailers like Best Buy, GameStop, or Target to run 5-10% off specials on gaming gift cards (usually during the holiday shopping season or for Black Friday).
Keep an eye on deals sites like Cheapassgamer or Slickdeals for user-reported gift card promotions.
Shop on secondary gift card marketplaces like Raise or CardCash, where people resell unwanted gift cards below face value. Savings can range from 3-10% on Nintendo cards.
Take advantage of credit card cashback deals on gift cards. For example, Chase bank occasionally offers 5-10% back on Nintendo gift card purchases.
If you combine discounted gift cards with eShop sales, you can easily save 30-50% or more on digital games. It takes some extra effort, but it‘s worth it to get more Switch games for less.
Best Free Games on Nintendo Switch
If you can‘t seem to get your hands on a working eShop code, don‘t worry. The Switch has a solid selection of free-to-play games that won‘t cost you a cent (beyond a Switch Online subscription in some cases). Here are some of the best:
Fortnite – The mega-hit battle royale shooter supports cross-play on Switch. 80+ million players monthly.
Rocket League – Soccer meets race cars in this addicting competitive game. Over 7 million players.
Pokémon UNITE – A multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) set in the Pokémon universe. Surpassed 100 million downloads.
Apex Legends – A character-based battle royale set in the Titanfall universe. Consistently in the top 10 most-played Switch games.
Fall Guys – A wacky 60-player platformer game show. Peaked at over 20 million players per month.
Most F2P games generate revenue from in-game cosmetic/battle pass purchases, but the core gameplay is free. The eShop also offers limited-time demos for many games, giving you a free trial before committing to a purchase.
Expand Your Library With Nintendo Switch Online
For $20/year, a Nintendo Switch Online subscription is one of the best values in gaming. Members get access to online multiplayer, cloud saves, and a library of 70+ classic NES & SNES games at no extra charge. Nintendo adds 3-4 new retro titles each month.
Some all-time greats in the NSO library include Super Mario Bros. 3, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid, Donkey Kong Country, and Star Fox. What‘s better than free games? Classic free games.
With an upgraded Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription ($50/year), you also get a growing selection of Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games like Mario Kart 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. It‘s a great way to relive your childhood gaming memories on a budget.
The Region Pricing Debate
Have you ever browsed the eShop and noticed that the same game might cost $59.99 in the US but only €49.99 in Europe? That‘s because of a practice called region pricing.
Nintendo, like many software companies, adjusts the prices of games in the eShop based on the region. The goal is to match the purchasing power and market conditions of each country. On paper, it makes sense. A $60 game in the US could be prohibitively expensive in a developing country.
The problem is that the regional prices don‘t always line up with the actual currency exchange rates. This leads to situations where games are cheaper in one country than another, even after conversion.
For example, in early 2024, the hit game Metroid Prime Remastered cost:
- $39.99 in the US eShop
- €39,99 in the European eShop (about $44-46 USD)
- £36.99 in the UK eShop (about $45-47 USD)
- $64.95 AUD in the Australian eShop (about $42-44 USD)
The price differences may seem small, but they add up over time, especially for frequent game buyers. It‘s a controversial topic in the Switch community. Some see it as unfair, while others view it as a necessary reality of a global marketplace.
At the end of the day, region pricing is set by Nintendo and is largely out of our control as consumers. My advice? Don‘t fret too much over a few dollars difference either way. Focus on buying games you‘ll enjoy at a price you can afford in your local eShop.
How to Budget for Nintendo Switch Games
With all this talk of free codes, discounts, and pricing, I wanted to step back and address the elephant in the room. How can you realistically afford to buy Switch games on a tight budget?
Here are a few tips I‘ve learned as a frugal gamer:
Create a gaming fund. Set aside a small amount each week/month ($5-20) for games. It adds up!
Make a wishlist and stick to it. Avoid impulse purchases just because there‘s an eShop sale.
Check reviews before buying. Use OpenCritic or Metacritic to see if a game is worth your money.
Buy physical copies and resell them when you‘re done. You can often get 30-50% back.
Wait 6-12 months for sales. Nintendo games take a while to drop in price, but patience pays off.
Most importantly, don‘t spend beyond your means chasing down every new release. No game is worth jeopardizing your financial stability. Play through your backlog and take advantage of the methods we‘ve discussed to get games cheaper.
Closing Thoughts
As we‘ve seen, the world of free Nintendo eShop codes is fraught with scams, hacks, and empty promises. While there are some legitimate ways to slowly earn gift cards from reward sites or get discounted codes, there‘s no reliable method to score free codes on demand.
My ultimate advice as a seasoned Switch gamer and tech geek? Focus your energy on maximizing your gaming budget rather than chasing down elusive freebies. Combine discounted gift cards with eShop sales, buy physical games used, and take advantage of free-to-play titles and Nintendo Switch Online perks.
At the end of the day, gaming is about having fun. Don‘t let the desire for free codes suck the joy out of your Switch experience. There are plenty of amazing titles to play on any budget if you shop smart.
Here‘s to happy gaming on our favorite hybrid console!
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