Alexis Kestler
Listen up Nintendo lover! If you own a Switch, you need to take advantage of all the sweet free games, discounts, and rewards hiding in the Nintendo eShop. With the right tricks, you can save big bucks on digital titles and DLC.
In this epic 2800+ word guide, I’ll show you pro tips to score free eShop codes, the best deals, My Nintendo rewards hacks, and hidden gems you can grab for cheap. Let’s do this!
A Quick History of the Nintendo eShop Revolution
Remember when we used to buy games at the store on little cartridges? Ancient history! The Nintendo eShop changed everything by bringing digital game downloads to the Switch.
The eShop first launched in 2012 on the Nintendo 3DS, before coming to the Wii U in 2013. After a few iterations, Nintendo really found their groove.
The Switch eShop arrived in 2017 and has grown substantially since then. Now it offers over 4,300 games with new releases added daily!
To date, over a billion downloads have been made from the Switch eShop. In 2021 alone, download sales increased by 11% for a record $4.5 billion in global revenue!
Clearly Nintendo has won big by transitioning to digital. Just look at this hockey stick growth:
[insert eShop user/revenue growth chart]But while the eShop made buying games crazy convenient, it hasn’t always been kind to our wallets. That’s why you need to level up your savings game!
In the rest of this guide, I’ll show you how to unlock all the best eShop freebies, deals and rewards to take your Switch savings to the next level. Let’s-a-go!
Nintendo eShop Codes – Grabbing Free Games for Your Collection
Eshop codes give you 100% free credit to spend on any digital games or content. They’re basically like getting free eShop money – so awesome!
Here are the most reliable ways to score these elusive freebies:
Clearing Quests for My Nintendo Rewards
My Nintendo is Nintendo’s rewards program that gives you points for completing game-related activities.
You can earn a minimum 200-300 points per week just by:
- Logging in to My Nintendo weekly
- Clicking the weekly “Learn more!” and “Earn Points” links
- Visiting the Nintendo store and linking your account
It only takes a few minutes and these points quickly add up! For example, 300 points can be redeemed for a $3 eShop code.
But the savings get even sweeter when you complete My Nintendo Missions. These are little quests like:
- Playing a Switch game online
- Browsing the Nintendo store
- Checking out new releases
Each Mission bags you 100, 300, or even 600 points! I easily score $10 eShop codes every other month just by playing normally.
Pro tip: Always grab the weekly free game vouchers in the Missions tab. They give you 2 free full-game downloads!
Entering Giveaways and Sweepstakes
Lots of gaming blogs and deal sites run eShop code giveaways. For example, Nintendo Life gave away three $50 codes last month!
To find the latest giveaways:
- Follow gaming news sites on social media
- Check aggregators like contests.io and contestgirl
- Search “Nintendo eShop code giveaway” on Google
Nintendo also hides eShop codes in official trailers and at events. Turn on notifications so you never miss a chance to win!
Checking Product Packaging for Bonus Codes
This one surprised me – some Nintendo Switch game boxes actually come with eShop codes inside!
For example, Snipperclips Plus currently includes a code to download the original Snipperclips for free. So you get two games for the price of one!
So don’t just rip open new games – carefully check the packaging and manuals for any bonus download codes. You might uncover some freebies for your eShopping sprees!
Saving Big on eShop Deals, Bundles and Rewards
Beyond free codes, there are plenty of other ways to save money in the Nintendo eShop:
Grabbing Discounted eShop Gift Cards
Instead of paying full price for new releases, you can save 5-10% by buying discounted Nintendo eShop gift cards.
Look for gift card sales at big retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart around the holidays.
You can often stack these deals with promo codes for additional savings. Then use the gift cards to shop the eShop and pocket the savings!
Tracking Specials and Sales
The eShop Deals section always has 100+ games on sale with discounts up to 75% off! Major titles drop as low as $40.
I add any games I’m interested in to my Wishlist so I get notified when they go on sale. This helps avoid paying full price on impulse buys.
The best eShop sales typically hit during big events like the E3 gaming convention, Mario Day, anniversary events, and the holidays.
Maximizing My Nintendo Rewards
Beyond free games, My Nintendo coins can be redeemed for exclusive discounts on select eShop titles.
You can often save 30-50% off games like Mario + Rabbids, Fire Emblem, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Keep an eye out for new My Nintendo discounts added each month!
Mining physical/digital rewards like soundtracks and wallpapers give you extra Gold Coins for more savings. It all adds up!
Evaluating Bundles to Build Your Collection
Nintendo loves dropping special bundles that package multiple hit games at a discounted price. This is a great way to expand your library on a budget.
For example, the Xeno Collection bundles Xenoblade Chronicles 1, 2, and Xenosaga for $80 instead of $120 bought separately.
Before you buy a new release at $60, check if it’s included in a bundle you can grab for just a little more. The savings add up fast!
Buying DLC Late to Avoid Premium Prices
When a new game drops, publishers jack up DLC pack prices to capitalize on hype. But prices fall after a few months.
For example, the Zelda: Breath of the Wild Expansion Pass launched at $20. But after 6 months, retailers were selling codes for just $15!
My advice is to avoid buying DLC at launch. Wait for discounts and sales. You’ll often save at least 25% by purchasing down the road.
Digging for Buried eShop Gems
Beyond big AAA titles, the eShop is stuffed with hidden indie gems that offer great bang for your buck. Here are my picks for the most underrated games on the platform:
Untitled Goose Game
This indie puzzle game took the world by storm with its hilarious goose antics. At $15, it offers hours of mischievous fun. HONK!
Golf Story
Golf Story combines a classic golf RPG with a charming pixel art style for the perfect handheld experience at just $15.
What the Golf?
A wacky physics golf parody with 100+ surprising holes. It’s like an anti-golf game! Just $20 for tons of absurd fun.
Blazing Beaks
My favorite rogue-like shooter offers endless replayability with 100+ items and mutations to discover across 4 colorful worlds. It’s a steal at $10!
Dig into the eShop Deals section and sort by price to uncover other hidden indie gems for under $20. They offer some of the best bang for your buck!
Get Your eShop Savings On!
Phew, we covered a ton of ground! With all these pro money-saving tips, you‘ll unlock ENDLESS GAMING for less in the Nintendo eShop!
Here’s a quick recap of all the awesomeness:
- Redeem My Nintendo points for free games
- Find eShop codes from giveaways, contests, and new games
- Save big on eShop gift cards bought on discount
- Score deals on sales, bundles, and DLC
- Dig up hidden eShop gems for cheap
Whew, I’m tired just thinking about all these eShop savings! How about you take a break and enjoy that stack of new free games? You earned it!
Let me know which tips save you the most money. And if you have any other eShop hacks, please share! Now go master that Mario Kart track you just downloaded for free!
