Did you get a Nintendo eShop gift card, or plan to buy an eShop gift card for someone else?
Nintendo offers one of the industry’s best gift cards because these cards can be used across all modern Nintendo consoles. You can redeem the card on your Nintendo account, and you can even get points for buying the best Nintendo Switch games – or any games for the company’s consoles.
There’s a lot that you can do with an eShop gift card.
And the cards never expire.
What is a Nintendo eShop Gift Card?
Nintendo eShop gift cards are the main gift card for Nintendo. These cards are great because they can be purchased in small amounts. You don’t have to feel pressured seeing cards with $100, $500 or $1,000 price tags on them.
You can buy a Nintendo eShop gift card for $10 if you want.
I do recommend purchasing your gift cards online to get the best price possible. You’ll obviously want to do your due diligence and ensure that the retailer you’re purchasing from is legitimate.
When you buy from Nintendo directly, you’ll almost always be paying full price.
I don’t know about you, but I prefer not paying full price unless it’s 100% necessary. At the time of writing this, there are a lot of online retailers, all big-name companies that you can trust, that have sales on their eShop gift cards.
Nintendo is not running one of these sales.
Other retailers are offering discounts of around 10%, so you can purchase a $50 card for just $45.
Always get eShop gift cards from online retailers instead from Nintendo’s official site for the best prices.
Recommended Nintendo Switch Games
Nintendo Switch is the go-to Nintendo system out today. The system has a massive reach, selling over 40 million consoles, and the company has just expanded sales into China. A lot of great things are happening at Nintendo, and the best Nintendo Switch games will keep you occupied for a long time.
My Friend Pedro
My Friend Pedro is rated a 10/10 on Steam and is one of the best games to come out in 2019. DeadToast Entertainment made a splash, with this game which is a little different than what you might expect.
The game is a violent ballet that includes friendship at the center of it all.
One man, the main character in the game, will go on his quest killing enemies in a shoot ‘em up style game. You may remember a Flash game of the same name that came out a few years ago. It’s the same game, but it’s not adventure-filled and action-packed with a variety of themed levels and a lot of fun action.
Players can slow time, use objects to throw or kick at their enemies, dodge bullets and engage in parkour-like elements. Jump walls, perform a roll, and kill your enemies in the process. You can grab frying pans off the wall, use the pan to ricochet bullets and so much more.
If there’s one indie game that you should give a chance, it’s My Friend Pedro.
And did I forget to mention? A banana is calling all of the shots, so your character is complete chaos.
Super Mario Party
Super Mario Party is a refresh o the series that features a 4-player game mode. You can play with friends and family, and there is a 2 v 2 mode with maps. You’ll also be able to play an online minigame mode with a total of five minigame available.
There are several modes and options to enjoy to make every game unique and fun.
Online play has 80 minigames and a leader board system to help you enjoy an in-depth ranking system. You can play as an array of your favorite Nintendo characters, including:
[list style=’regular’]
[list_item]Boo[/list_item]
[list_item]Princess Peach[/list_item]
[list_item]Mario[/list_item]
[list_item]Luigi[/list_item]
[list_item]Donkey Kong[/list_item]
[list_item]So many more[/list_item]
[/list]
Super Mario Party is the perfect game for anyone that has friends or family over that my want to play games, too. While solo games are always fun, adding another person to join in on the fun is always recommended.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda is another classic, and it’s time for Link to wake up after a hundred-year sleep. Players will be tasked to kill Calamity Ganon. The game is open-world, and you’ll be filled with nostalgia as you solve puzzles, look for items and enter caves.
Explore the Kingdom of Hyrule with little instruction so that you can explore and enjoy all areas of the kingdom.
Link will be able to find items needed to become stronger in the wild. Stamina will hold you back, and you’ll be able to eat to rejuvenate yourself. If you meet certain conditions in the game, you’ll be able to unlock a hidden ending.
Splatoon 2
Splatoon 2 is a third-person shooter that can be enjoyed in single and multiplayer modes. The game is a sequel to the original and has sold over nine million copies. You’ll control Inklings and Octolings that can morph between kid and human form.
Sub and special weapons are at your disposal, and you’ll be able to use defensive maneuvers and jetpacks among other fun items.
Single-player mode is loads of fun, but you can also jump into multiplayer matches, which will test your skill against other opponents.
Cuphead
Cuphead is a game that took the world by surprise. The game has been out since 2017, but it was only released for the Nintendo Switch in 2019. The game features 1930 cartoon animations as inspiration for the game.
Fight through boards, taking on bosses and speed through run-and-gun levels.
Three worlds exist, with the final world featuring the Devil. The game melds roleplaying and run-and-gun style games into one. You can play single or multiplayer, and there are in-game shops that allow you to purchase weapons.
Each level performance is ranked.
Cuphead is one of the world’s most popular indie games, and it’s one that every gamer should try at least once.
Ori and the Blind Forest
Ori and the Blind Forest is an adventure game that was just released on Switch at the end of September. The game’s playstyle has been highly praised by gamers of all ages. Everything – from the music to the environment, story and action scenes – will keep players engaged the entire time.
The game does have a sequel that is rumored to be coming out in the first-quarter of 2020.
The game’s story is inspired by The Iron Giant and The Lion King. A fun, exciting game, the game’s environment is stunning, yet it’s a 2D game. Players are able to control Sein and Ori in a magical world.
Players will find save points and be able to save at certain checkpoints in the game.
A variety of environments is just one of the reasons to try playing Ori and the Blind. If you’re worried about the game being 2D, don’t be. Gamers are kept entertained and immersed, with high-end animations, music and intuitive gameplay.
Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun!
Taiko no Tatsujin is a musical game that is in the rhythm genre and first came out in Japan. I know – a musical game? But this single and multiplayer masterpiece will keep fans at the edge of their seats and is a must-try for gamers of all ages.
You’ll have fun characters move across the board that represent musical notes.
Players will have to “play” these notes properly to get through the level. You’ll need to be fast and play notes before they enter the “Soul Gauge.” It’s important that you work diligently to get the gauge filled so that you can complete the board and progress to the next board.
Taiko is definitely not a game for everyone, but it is a game that brings a new element of fun to the table.
You can play a variety of rhythm-based multiplayer games as well to expand the fun. Nintendo users will find that all of the songs in the game can be purchased on the Nintendo eShop. There were 131 songs in total available in April 2019.
Minecraft
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have heard of a game called Minecraft. The game isn’t known for its vibrant graphics, it’s a pixelated mess, but it’s still one of the most popular games ever developed.
Minecraft has taken the world by storm, with the ability to create anything you want using blocks.
The game first came out in 2011, and it wasn’t until 2017 that the game came to the Nintendo Switch. But the port to Nintendo is just as immersive and fun as the original PC version of the game.
Create, explore and survive in Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition.
The Switch Edition allows you to play across different platforms with friends. Minecraft is an adventure, whether you take it on alone or with an array of different players. You’ll find ample add-on content and updates to the game that make it a timeless classic for players of all ages.
Super Smash Bro Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a major hit, and it brings all of your favorite Nintendo characters into one fun and exciting fighting game. The single-player and multiplayer options allow you to fight on your own or against friends when they come over.
The game was released a year ago, but it remains a top-tier game, with up to eight players fighting at one time. Faster combat, and new defensive and offensive options allow you to play your favorite characters, whether it be new additions (like Dark Samus or Belmont) or classic fighters.
The game features numerous new stages, including stages that are based on Super Mario Odyssey and Castlevania.
A musical powerhouse, you’ll be able to listen to over 900 different compositions and play for hours without getting bored. There is a Spirit Story mode that is fun and brings a different element to fighting.
The game supports several play modes, including:
[list style=’regular’]
[list_item]Handheld[/list_item]
[list_item]Tabletop[/list_item]
[list_item]Television[/list_item]
[/list]
Game data is saved to the cloud. Play online with friends and also use a smartphone app to stay connected. If you want to get a little more out of the game, there are DLC packs available, including Challenger packs.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
One final game you should at least consider buying with a Nintendo eShop gift card is Fire Emblem: Three Houses. A highly rated roleplaying game, the game came out in July and has top ratings by GameStop, IGN and Best Buy.
The game is a tactical roleplaying game that is single player, so you will not be able to have your friends join in on the fun.
But RPGs are often better alone in my experience. The game allows players to send their characters to different monasteries that allow the player to narrate the game. The players will be able to engage in story-based battles as well as interacting with the in-depth school system.
The school system includes other students and staff members.
You will have “free” days where you’re able to interact with other students and build personal relationships that will shape the game. You can also recruit players from other houses.
The turn-based game allows gamers to take control of unique units across a grid. Three rival nations exist on Fodlan. You’ll be engaging in battles as Byleth, which can be a male or female, depending on who you choose.
It’s a fun game that includes a lot of battle elements, but there are also a lot of great story elements that make the game fun and exciting. If you want to try a different type of RPG, you’ll definitely want to give Fire Emblem: Three Houses a try.
We’ve also outlined 5-must read tips before you buy a Nintendo eShop gift card that we recommend everyone read. Nintendo Switch has a lot of great games, aimed towards kids and adults, across a wide range of genres.
If you’re planning on buying someone an eShop gift card or received one yourself, redeem the card and try one of the games above – you won’t be disappointed.
