The Japanese video game company Nintendo is planning to introduce a new digital gift feature for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 players to allow them to buy eligible games and downloadable content for other people who belong to their Nintendo Account family group.
This is an attempt to make it easier for gamers to exchange their digital gifts. According to the US announcement from the company that was released on November 9, this new functionality will become available at the Nintendo eShop starting from November 16, 2026.
However, the release dates are region-specific because Nintendo’s Japanese announcement states that November 17 is the date when the new feature will be made available. This feature will work for both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. It will allow users to purchase eligible digital games, downloadable content (DLC), and upgrade packs for other members of their family group.
Who Can Users Gift Their Digital Games To?
A Nintendo Account family group will have a maximum of eight members. This means that this feature will only work for users who are in the same family group and will not let users send digital gifts to random people from their Nintendo friends list.
However, not all digital products will be eligible for gifting. Some products will be excluded from gifting, and there will be certain limits on the number of purchases of digital gifts. Supervised accounts cannot send digital gifts, even though Nintendo did not. It is critical for people who would like to buy games for their friends who are not part of their family groups. It should be noted that the gift function was designed for use in the gifting of digital games by family groups.
How to Send a Digital Game on Nintendo eShop
All the steps will take place directly on Nintendo eShop via a suitable console. People can do the following:
- Open Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2.
- Choose an eligible digital game, DLC, or upgrade pack.
- Click the “Give as a Gift” option.
- Choose the recipient among the family group members.
- Choose the recipient’s linked system and set the gift-wrap color.
- Proceed with the purchasing process.
It is reported that the gift will be sent immediately after the purchasing process is completed. In its turn, the recipient will receive it on their HOME Menu and choose and accept the gift. Therefore, people should be sure about the recipient’s selection before completing the process.
System Update Needed for Digital Gifting
In order to be able to use the new feature, it is necessary to update the system software to version 23.5.0 or higher. As it was said in the official statement by Nintendo for the US market, the update is scheduled to be released on November 9, 2026.
People can check their system software version via the System Settings menu of their Nintendo console. Nintendo also reports that the system update will happen automatically if the device is online. However, it is possible to check the software version manually.
This is important since gift giving involves the creation of a new purchase for the recipient, whereas lending and game card exchange involve access to content that has been purchased already.
Conclusion
The digital gifting service from Nintendo provides an easier way for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 users to buy games and other content for family members.
The options to pick the recipient and wrap the gift, along with making the purchase available directly on the recipient’s HOME Menu, can make digital gifting easier around the holidays.
Unfortunately, the restriction of the feature to a family group and eligible products means that it cannot be used as a general gifting option. The US launch date is set for November 16, and the Japanese launch is marked for November 17.