Choose a game card if you want a tangible copy you can hand to another player; choose digital if you prefer to keep games associated with your Nintendo Account and play without swapping cards. The key trade-offs are sharing, access across consoles, and storage—not a guaranteed price advantage. Your save data is stored on the console either way.
How access differs
Game cards
To play a physical copy, insert its game card into the compatible console. The card can be handed to someone else, but that person needs the card to access the game. A single card can only be used wherever that physical card is available. Nintendo explains how physical games work across consoles in its multi-console guidance.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Nintendo eShop Physical Gift Card | $100 | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - US Version | $52.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![$20 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41XOVFRcBIL._SL160_.jpg)
|
$20 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code] | $20.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![$50 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51klpGvEKML._SL160_.jpg)
|
$50 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code] | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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Digital downloads
Digital eShop purchases are associated with the Nintendo Account that bought them and cannot be transferred to another Nintendo Account. Nintendo’s virtual game card system lets you load purchases onto up to two linked consoles. A loaded virtual game card works offline, and any user on that console can play the loaded game. Nintendo describes these rules in its digital purchase guidance and Virtual Game Card Guide.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →On a console without the game loaded as a virtual game card, the purchasing account can use online-license play, which requires an internet connection. This is an account-restricted option, not the same as lending someone a game card.
#1 Best Overall
- Give the gift of fun with a Nintendo eShop gift code
- It's easy—apply it to your Nintendo eShop account in seconds.
- It ensures that you’ll always have funds on hand to help with purchases of new games and applications
- It’s designed for your Nintendo eShop purchases—no credit card required.
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch system.
Can you share games or play on multiple consoles?
| Situation | Game card | Digital download |
|---|---|---|
| Let another person play | Hand them the card; they need it in their console. | A loaded virtual game card can be played by any user on that console. The purchase itself cannot be transferred to their Nintendo Account. |
| Play on another console | Insert the card into the console where you want to play. | Load the virtual game card on one of up to two linked consoles for offline play. Online-license play on a console without a loaded card requires internet and the purchasing account. |
These digital rules concern access to the game, not ownership transfer. Nintendo’s digital game and account transfer guidance covers moving to another console; it does not make a purchase transferable to a different Nintendo Account.
Do game cards save your progress?
No. Nintendo says game save data is stored in the console’s System Memory, whether you play a digital copy or a card. It is not saved on the game card and cannot be copied to a microSD card. That means passing a card to another player does not pass your save with it. See Nintendo’s Data Management FAQ.
Rank #2
- New stages and fighters are joined by the combined rosters of every past Super Smash Bros. Game
- Challenge others anytime, anywhere, whether you're on the couch or on the go
- Play any way you want—locally, online, in TV mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode, or even with GameCube Controllers
- Fight faster and smarter with new and returning techniques, like the perfect shield and directional air dodge
- Face off in 2-4 player battles, or play against the computer
Save-data transfer between consoles and cloud backup are separate from the game purchase. Cloud backup is available for supported games with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership; support varies by game. Nintendo’s console transfer guidance explains related account and save-data options.
Do you need a microSD card?
Not necessarily. Digital downloads use console storage, and a compatible microSDXC card can expand Nintendo Switch storage by up to 2TB; the card is sold separately. How much space you need depends on the games and additional content you download. Some games also require extra microSD storage when bought physically, so a game card does not guarantee that no download or added storage will be needed.
Rank #3
- This item can be redeemed on eShop only. This item cannot be redeemed on the Wii Shop
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch, Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Nintendo eShop Digital Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
- Check the specific game’s eShop listing or physical packaging for its storage requirements.
- Check available console storage before buying or downloading.
- Consider a Nintendo Switch-compatible microSDXC card if your library or a particular title requires more space.
Nintendo’s Nintendo Switch FAQ covers microSDXC expansion, while its Data Management FAQ explains how to check game storage requirements.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- This item can be redeemed on eShop only. This item cannot be redeemed on the Wii Shop
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch, Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Nintendo eShop Digital Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
Which format is the better fit?
- Choose a game card if you want a physical copy to carry or hand to someone else, and you are comfortable keeping track of and inserting the card.
- Choose digital if you prefer an account-associated library and playing without swapping cards, and the account, console, and internet conditions for access work for you.
- Compare prices for the exact game before deciding on cost. Prices and offers vary by title and time; neither format is reliably cheaper in every case.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
