We all know that the Switch is region-free.
But, the Switch is really the most region-free console of the big three.
The hardware is exactly the same all around the world, with no differences at all. Same screen, same processor, same GPU, same power requirements. And the Switch is powered by USB, so the only thing that is different is the power adapter.
The beauty of the system is that Nintendo is now using an Universal SKU for their games. The games are the same in the USA, in EU, in Japan. They are all the same SKU, with all the supported languages included in that same SKU. The default language of the games is activated depending on your system language settings.
So, when buying games from other regions, digital or physical, you can be sure that if the game is also going to be released in your region, it will be the same game (the only difference would be the game box artwork if buying physical).
My suggestion would be: do not create multiple accounts to purchase games from different regions. Just go to https://accounts.nintendo.com/ and change the region of your account there. Once you change the region, just access the eShop on your Switch, and you will be redirected to the region's store.
Keep in mind that if you are using prepaid cards and still have some balance, you will lose it if you change regions. This is only a problem if you buy things using prepaid cards and have a balance in your account.
If you use PayPal to make your purchases in the eShop, you won't have to worry about losing your balance, because you buy the game with the exact amount of money needed.
Why would you buy the game in another region? Because sometimes they are cheaper and sometimes they are released first in other countries.
And when you buy a digital game, let's say, Super Mario Odyssey, in the Japanese eShop, it is the same Universal SKU as the one on the USA eShop, the Mexican eSHop, the South Africa eShop, etcetera.
When you change your region back, the game will appear in your purchases. You can download the game from any region, and it will be the same Universal SKU game.
You can compare the game prices here: https://savecoins.me/
There is no need to have multiple accounts on the Switch. Just change your region!
Important to note too: You can't switch regions if you have a remaining balance anymore without contacting Nintendo to remove the balance. (At least in most regions afaik.) So if possible only buy games in another region using your main account when you are using a download code or can pay the exact amount.
But, the Switch is really the most region-free console of the big three.
The hardware is exactly the same all around the world, with no differences at all. Same screen, same processor, same GPU, same power requirements. And the Switch is powered by USB, so the only thing that is different is the power adapter.
The beauty of the system is that Nintendo is now using an Universal SKU for their games. The games are the same in the USA, in EU, in Japan. They are all the same SKU, with all the supported languages included in that same SKU. The default language of the games is activated depending on your system language settings.
So, when buying games from other regions, digital or physical, you can be sure that if the game is also going to be released in your region, it will be the same game (the only difference would be the game box artwork if buying physical).
My suggestion would be: do not create multiple accounts to purchase games from different regions. Just go to https://accounts.nintendo.com/ and change the region of your account there. Once you change the region, just access the eShop on your Switch, and you will be redirected to the region's store.
Keep in mind that if you are using prepaid cards and still have some balance, you will lose it if you change regions. This is only a problem if you buy things using prepaid cards and have a balance in your account.
If you use PayPal to make your purchases in the eShop, you won't have to worry about losing your balance, because you buy the game with the exact amount of money needed.
Why would you buy the game in another region? Because sometimes they are cheaper and sometimes they are released first in other countries.
And when you buy a digital game, let's say, Super Mario Odyssey, in the Japanese eShop, it is the same Universal SKU as the one on the USA eShop, the Mexican eSHop, the South Africa eShop, etcetera.
When you change your region back, the game will appear in your purchases. You can download the game from any region, and it will be the same Universal SKU game.
You can compare the game prices here: https://savecoins.me/
There is no need to have multiple accounts on the Switch. Just change your region!
Important to note too: You can't switch regions if you have a remaining balance anymore without contacting Nintendo to remove the balance. (At least in most regions afaik.) So if possible only buy games in another region using your main account when you are using a download code or can pay the exact amount.
Last edited: