I‘m thrilled you‘ve decided to create a Nintendo Account! As an experienced gaming analyst, I created this in-depth guide to walk you through everything you need to know. I‘ll provide overview details of Nintendo Accounts, the step-by-step creation process, parental controls configuration, security protections, troubleshooting tips, and even some interesting history!
Buckle up, this comprehensive guide takes you on a fun start-to-finish journey towards unlocking the full potential of your Nintendo gaming hardware with an amazing account…let‘s-a-go!
An Overview – What‘s the Deal With Nintendo Accounts?
Let me start by answering a popular question newer gamers have – what exactly IS a Nintendo Account? In simple terms, they are free accounts that unlock a suite of convenient features across Nintendo‘s gaming platforms.
While creating one adds a minor initial hassle, you gain major long-term advantages! Just take 2 minutes to setup an account and reap benefits like:
- Online multiplayer gaming
- Cloud save backup protection
- Digital game & DLC purchases
- Special member coupons + rewards
- Parental control management
- MUCH more!
To fully experience everything modern Nintendo gaming offers in 2023, you absolutely need a properly configured Nintendo Account. Now let‘s get yours created!
I‘ll be walking you through two methods below:
- Quick & Easy – Using any web browser
- Advanced – Directly on your Switch
Choose whichever option works best for your situation.
Step 1 – Sign Up Via Web Browser
Fastest Method, 5 Minutes Max!
I suggest using the web browser method first since setup takes just minutes and works seamlessly across various devices.
Here‘s everything you need to do:
Visit Nintendo Account Creation Website
Open any desktop, mobile, or tablet web browser you have handy and head to accounts.nintendo.com/register. Click the prominent "Sign Up Now" button to initiate creating your new Nintendo ID.
Pro Tip: I suggest using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browsers for maximum compatibility.
Verify Your Age
Since Nintendo Accounts require users to be 13 years or older due to COPPA compliance, you‘ll next need to check a box verifying you meet the minimum age. If you‘re creating an account for a child, choose the family account option instead.
Input Personal Information
On the account registration form, carefully enter details like:
- First and Last Name
- Email Address
- Date of Birth
- Country/Region of Residence
You‘ll also choose a unique Nintendo nickname for your account profile. I suggest using a fun nickname rather than official name here if you prefer extra privacy online.
[See Table 1 Below]
Create a Secure Password
Your next task is creating and confirming a password that meets the criteria shown for strength and security purposes. Always use unique passwords and consider enabling two-factor authentication for accounts with payment details or precious save data you want to protect.
Review Nintendo‘s Terms of Service
Responsible gaming means understanding the rules, so be sure to read through Nintendo‘s Terms and Usage Agreement documents available at account creation. To proceed, signify you approval with the checkbox.
Complete Email Verification
Nearly finished! Verify your email address by entering the 4-digit code sent by Nintendo, then select Verify. This links your email to the new account for password recovery and other important purposes.
Check your inbox and spam folders if emails are not appearing promptly.
Congratulations, your brand new Nintendo Account is now ready to use!
With the browser-based method complete, I‘ll now show you how to handle account creation directly on your Switch…
Step 2 – Nintendo Account Creation on Switch Consoles
If a PC/mobile device isn‘t nearby, not a problem my friend! Your Nintendo Switch has everything needed built-in to get your account squared away all the same.
However, one KEY item required is eventual access to the email address you use in the process for verification similar to the steps outlined already above. So make sure you‘ll be able to check messages on a phone/tablet/computer before beginning the on-console method!
Let me walk you through everything clearly:
Access the Settings Menu
From your Switch‘s main menu, tap the settings cog symbol to enter System Settings. Then scroll down to the "Users" option.
Create a New User
Next choose to add a new user or create additional user profiles if others share your Switch.
Personalize Your New User
Give your user profile a fun name (doesn‘t need to match Nintendo Account) plus customize your character icon!
Link a Nintendo Account
You‘ll then get promoted to link an existing Nintendo Account or create a completely new one. Obviously select Create New Account.
Heads up: PAY CLOSE ATTENTION to the next steps!
Input Your Email Address
Carefully enter a valid, frequently checked email address you can access later when prompted to verify. Select OK when finished accurately typing your email.
Check Email for Verification Code
You MUST have access to the email inbox for the address you entered above at this point! Find the 4-digit verification code message sent by Nintendo and keep it handy.
Enter Verification Code on Switch
Final step! Input the 4-digit verification code on your Switch when promoted to officially link your new Nintendo Account to the recently created user profile.
You are now finished and can access all included online features!
While slightly more tedious, creating a Nintendo Account directly through the Switch certainly works if you don‘t have quick access to a phone, tablet, or computer nearby.
The key is ensuring you can check email a bit later in the process (away from console) to obtain and enter the verification code Nintendo sends to activate your ID.
||Web Browser|Nintendo Switch|
|:–:|:–:|:–:|
|Difficulty|Easy|Slightly Harder|
|Time to Complete|5 minutes|10-15 minutes|
|Email Access?|Right away |Later to verify|
|Best For|All gamers|Switch-only owners|
Table 1 – Nintendo Account Creation Comparison
As you likely noticed from my table above, handling your Nintendo account through any desktop or mobile web browser is faster & a bit easier overall.
But Nintendo‘s forward-thinking engineers allow you to setup an account completely on the Switch too…as long as you can verify via email using a separate device afterwards. Super handy when on-the-go!
Either way, congratulations on now having a wonderful Nintendo Account ready to elevate your gaming adventures!
Next let me assist family-focused readers with child account configurations…
Configuring Child & Family Nintendo Accounts
Being a lifetime gamer and tech specialist also makes me a family man outside work hours! I totally understand needing to safely manage accounts for little ones.
The fantastic news is Nintendo provides dedicated child and family account options meeting modern digital privacy standards for users under 13 years old.
Let me explain the protection benefits and walk through getting them setup:
Overview of Child Account Precautions
When a Nintendo Account is created for a child, enhanced restrictions are implemented like:
- No personal info retention
- Limitations of access to online features
- Optional activity reporting to guardians
- Blocking of age-inappropriate content
Plus parents/legal guardians retain full control over Layering on protections helps ease worry and allows kids focus on safely exploring Mario‘s mushroom kingdom!
Now here is the step-by-step guide to creating monitored child accounts:
Setup Family Group
Adults should login to their own Nintendo Account on Nintendo.com first. Under account settings, create a "Family Group" to enable additional members.
Add Child Family Member
Select to add a family member, then choose the option to "Create child account under 13" when promoted.
Input Child‘s Details
Next carefully add accurate info like your kid‘s name and date of birth when requested.
Review Parental Controls & Limitations
Be sure to fully read over the additional usage limitations enforced on child accounts to confirm your understanding.
Email Verification
Similar to previous methods, you‘ll go through quick email verification by entering in a code Nintendo emails to the guardian‘s address provided.
Link Child Account on Switch
Lastly, using your Switch console access the newly created child‘s Nintendo Account and link it up to their user profile!
My parental gamers, I hope this clears up how smoothly you can create protected accounts for young ones in your family. Reach out if any questions pop up!
Moving on, let‘s get your account connected to your Switch…
Linking Your Nintendo Account to Your Switch User Profile
If you haven‘t already, connecting your shiny new Nintendo Account to your main Switch user profile unlocks the complete range of features detailed earlier:
- Online multiplayer & voice chat abilities
- Cloud backup for precious game saves
- Downloading digital titles from the eShop
- Exclusive member discounts & offers
- PLUS adding friends, customizing controls, tracking play activity, and much more!
Here‘s all you need to do:
Revisit System Settings
From your Switch‘s main menu, tap the settings icon once again
Select Users
Choose the "Users" options after entering System Settings
Pick Your User
Now select the user profile you want connected to your account
Link Nintendo Account
You may be promoted again to link your account, if not – choose "Link Nintendo Account" manually
Input Nintendo Account Login Details
Carefully type in your account username and password when prompted
Allow Permissions
Confirm any requests for your Nintendo Account to access user data, payment options, etc.
That‘s all it takes! After a few quick minutes your Switch ties directly to your Nintendo Account enabling online features, cloud gaming saves, access to purchased digital titles across multiple devices, and MUCH more!
Troubleshooting Account Issues
Hopefully you‘ve followed along smoothly without any hiccups creating, linking, or using your new Nintendo Account. But technology doesn‘t always play nice!
Let me share helpful troubleshooting tips just in case:
Forgot Password? Not a problem, just visit Nintendo.com to safely reset your password by having a link emailed to you.
Can‘t Verify Email Code? Double check both inbox and spam folders for the 4-digit verification message Nintendo sends after signing up. Still not appearing? Typos do happen! Confirm the email address entered originally was absolutely correct.
Encountering Error Codes? First, ensure your Switch and network connection are stable, if errors continue – they have guidance. Reach out to Nintendo Support teams who can further investigate any stubborn account errors.
Feeling Stuck Creating an Account? Relax my friend. Close the browser or power off your Switch completely for 5 minutes before trying again. This often clears any cached data that may be confusing the device.
Under 13? Remember, you‘ll need to utilize Family Accounts and Parental Controls instead, sorry Junior! Have an adult handle the initial account setup.
Securing Your Valuable Account
Think through a few quick precautions to keep your account and payment details locked down tight:
- Ensure your password is unique and extremely strong – consider using a password manager app to generate.
- Never openly share sensitive account credentials!
- Avoid account password reuse with other services whenever possible
- Enable handy Two-Factor authentication for an extra account access layer
- Monitor your registered email for suspicious reset attempts
- Keep guard against realistic-looking Nintendo account phishing attempts
Stay diligent and protecting your account + gaming progress is a cinch!
Additional FAQs from New Nintendo Account Owners
Let me answer a handful more of the most frequently asked questions I receive around these accounts from new owners like yourself:
Q: Why is a Nintendo Account so vital for Switch owners?
A: It unlocks online multiplayer, cloud saves, eShop purchases & discounts exclusive to members!
Q: Does it cost anything to create a standard account?
A: Nope, Nintendo Accounts are 100% free to setup and use!
Q: What if my Switch console breaks, is stolen, or needs repairs?
A: No worries, your critical account data and game save files securely sync and store remotely allowing restoration on a replacement Switch.
Q: Can I change my Nintendo Account‘s nickname later if desired?
A: Unfortunately no; Nintendo currently does not allow gamers to adjust or modify account usernames after initial creation. Choose wisely!
Q: How would someone completely cancel their Nintendo Account if ever desired?
A: You can voluntarily close accounts by emailing Nintendo Support teams and requesting deactivation.
Q: What if I lose access to the original email address linked to my Nintendo Account?
A: Reach out to Nintendo‘s support staff right away if losing email access. They can assist with updating or recovering accounts once identity is confirmed.
So What‘s Next? Nintendo Online & eShop Await!
Congratulations! Providing these thorough guides and tips has taught you everything about creating standard or child Nintendo Accounts, maintaining their security, properly linking them, troubleshooting issues, and answering common questions.
I‘m confident you now have all tools needed to keep your Switch gaming experiences completely optimized through the power of your Nintendo Account. Time to stock up on iconic Mario, Zelda, and Metroid titles in the eShop!
Please reach out ANY time new questions pop up in the future. Enjoy those advanced features and happy gaming!
