Showing posts with label NS Guide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NS Guide. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Online Subscription: Individual vs Family

August 03, 2022 0 Comments


Did you get Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Animal Crossing: New Horizons and want to play with your friends across the country? Then you'd need to subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online

What is Nintendo Switch Online?  

It is a subscription-based service that allows Nintendo Switch users to play games online (think Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon and pretty much  everything else that has online connectivit), backup compatible game save files to the cloud. It also enables you to access other Switch related benefits such as access to a library of Nintendo Switch Nintendo Entertainment System games, special offers, and access to exclusive games which include the online mode in the Tetris® 99 game, classic game controllers, and in-game bonuses.

Now with the expansion pass option, you even get additional access to a library of Nintendo 64™ gamesMario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course PassAnimal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise, and a collection of SEGA Genesis™ games!

More information on the Nintendo Site

Individual Membership

What is it: Provides Nintendo Switch Online service to the Nintendo Account that purchased the service. Individual Memberships are available in 1 month, 3-month, or 1-year increments. An individual Nintendo Switch Online membership costs USD$19.99 a year, while the expansion pack would cost USD$50 per year.


Who is it for: If you just want the basic cloud save, being able to play online and access to the usual offerings an online subscription has to offer, then opting for the normal individual plan would be sufficient. If you want to have more with the additional access and content the expansion pack has to offer, go for it! 


However, if you have a big family, or a group of friends, it might be more economical to get the family membership instead.The point of a family group is to bring together everyone's Nintendo Account under one subscription.  The family membership for Nintendo Switch Online can have up to 8 people on one plan. The more people you get to join in on this plan, the more money you save. 


Family Membership

What is it: the Nintendo Switch Online service to everyone in the purchaser’s family group (up to 8 people). Family memberships are available in 12-month increments only. The normal Nintendo Switch Family Online membership costs USD$35 a year, while the expansion pack would cost USD$80 per year.


Who is it for: If you want to get the membership at a slightly cheaper price and save some money, that and / or you have a big family or group of friends. 


How: All accounts must be part of a “family group”. It doesn't matter if they are used on a single Nintendo Switch console (with multiple Nintendo profiles / accounts) or on multiple Nintendo Switch devices with their respective Nintendo Accounts.


The family membership utilises family groups, so each account can be assigned a different role, with set permissions:


[How to Add Members to a Nintendo Account Family Group



What has do you know about the different game regions? Share it with us below in the comments below!

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Thursday, July 28, 2022

Nintendo Switch Digital Games vs Physical Games OnePager

July 28, 2022 0 Comments



Personally, I prefer a mix of digital and physical because it just makes sense. This is especially the case for:

  •  digital games which go on sale on the Nintendo e-Shop and are way cheaper than the physical copy (sometimes up to a 50% discount or more!)
  • physical games which come with special bonuses, make for a good collection or if I don't like it, I can resell it away to fund my other games




So which is your preferred mode physical, digital or a little bit of both? 
Share it with us below in the comments below!

~Comments, shares and follows are most definitely appreciated! 💬💞


Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Digital Games vs Physical Nintendo Switch Game Cartridges

July 13, 2022 0 Comments

Depending on what you want both digital and physical games have their pros and cons. But in a nutshell, if you want easier access to games on the go without having to constantly take out game cartridges each time you want to play a different game, then investing in a in a large-capacity microSD card and getting games digitally would be the choice for you. However, if you prefer owning the game cartridges and have your own little collection which you can trade or resell to fund future games, then physical game cartridges with a little investment on a  invested a smaller microSD card and a carrying case for the cartridges.


Note: The Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite have 32GB of internal storage, while the Switch OLED offers 64GB. When you download a game from the eShop, it will occupy some of that storage space. You can expand the Switch's storage through microSD cards up to 2TB (which is more than enough for plenty of Switch games), but that's an additional expense.


Personally, I prefer a mix of digital and physical because it just makes sense. This is especially the case for:

  •  digital games which go on sale on the Nintendo e-Shop and are way cheaper than the physical copy (sometimes up to a 50% discount or more!)
  • physical games which come with special bonuses, make for a good collection or if I don't like it, I can resell it away to fund my other games

But that's just me. Here is a quick rundown of the important factors you should consider when making the decision.


Pros 

 Physical GamesDigital Games
You own the game:Available as soon as it downloads:
The game is yours whether it's delisted or removed from the Nintendo Switch eShop. That isn't the case with digital copies.You don’t have wait for the game you purchased to be delivered or pick it up. As soon as it is available you can download it and play it. 
You don’t need to wait to download the game:Easily switch between games:
Unless there is an update you need to download, all you need to do is pop the cartridge into the slot to play without having to wait for it to download.Depending on your storage space, you can download, store and alternate between multiple games without having to switch out the cartridges.
It does not take up storage space:Easily re-downloaded:
As the games are on the cartridges, you do not use the system memory to install the games, unlike digital copies. All games you buy digitally are stored on your Nintendo Account. You can re-download them as many times as you want when you delete games to free up space.
Easily share with others:Can’t be lost:
You can let friends and family play the games you buy without any frustrations. You just need pass the cartridges back and forth.As long as you don’t lost your Nintendo Account, you can never technically lose a game as it’s there in your system.
Resell or trade cartridges:Some games are only available digitally:
You bought the physical copy and now own it. So you can choose to resell it to fund your next game adventure, or trade it to save a little budget.Many Switch games have only digital releases and are not available physically.
Cool physical goodies: 
Many physical Switch games come with cool pre-order bonuses or additions, such as posters, manuals, booklets, soundtracks, plushies and much more!  

Cons

 Physical GamesDigital Games
Cartridges can be lost:You can run out of space easily:
The Switch's cartridges are very small, slightly larger than a quarter. They can be easily lost, and if you lose them, you'll have to buy replacements.Unless you buy massive storage cards, you'll likely continue to run out of space on your Switch; you'll have to keep buying more memory.
Multiple games need to be carried with you:Downloads can take a while: 
If you want to swap out games on the go, you need to carry them with you at all times, unlike when they're installed on the Nintendo Switch.Depending on your internet connection, it can take some time to download your games. If you have a slow connection, it's  going to take a while
Games take up physical space:Games can be removed from the eShop: 
The more games you have, the more space you'll need in your home to store them. This isn't great news for anyone with small spaces who wants to own plenty of Switch titles.Occasionally, games can be delisted from the eShop, and you'll no longer be able to download them. You won't receive a refund for your time because if you cannot download it, you don't "own" it.
Not every game is available with a physical copy:Games can't be shared, traded, or sold
Some Switch games only get digital releases on the Nintendo eShop, so you won't get to buy a physical version.You can't simply share, trade, or sell the games you purchase on Nintendo Switch. They are tied to your system, for better or worse.
 You must have an internet connection to play digital games
 The Switch must occasionally "call home" to verify that you are indeed the owner of the game you're playing. Additionally, if you aren't on your primary system, your Switch will need to verify that you can play a game and it's yours before starting. That means unless you have portable internet, you can't take it on the go.



So which is your preferred mode physical, digital or a little bit of both? 
Share it with us below in the comments below!

~Comments, shares and follows are most definitely appreciated! 💬💞

Sunday, April 24, 2022

Nintendo Getting Started Guide

April 24, 2022 0 Comments

So, you’ve got your Nintendo Switch and are excited to start your gaming adventure, what next? 

To get a Nintendo Account so you can start buying digital games, and playing online of course!


Here’s a compiled guide for questions you might have, and I hope it helps you out.

  1. Console Region
  2. Account Region
  3. Game Region (Physical Game Cartridges)
  4. Buying Games Digitally from the e-Shop
  5. Digital Games vs Phyical Game Cartridges
  6. Nintendo Switch Digital Games vs Physical Games OnePager
  7. Online Subscription Individual vs Family

 

Understanding how to navigate the Nintendo Switch Console’s and Account region settings might take some time to understand and get used to, especially if your country is not on Nintendo’s list of supported Regions. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be identifying and buying games like a pro in no time!


Was this guide useful for you? Let us know in the comments below! 

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Thursday, April 21, 2022

Buying Nintendo Games Digitally from the Nintendo e-Shop

April 21, 2022 0 Comments

Besides buying physical game carts, if you want it digital and possibly cheaper (during sales), you should get your digital games directly from the Nintendo e-Shop.  The region which you set in your Nintendo Account is the e-Shop which you have access to. 


[More about Nintendo Account Region]


How to buy games from the US e-Shop 

This is suitable for players who do  not have a region e-shop (e.g. Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand etc...). If you have PayPal set up or a credit card, it easy to purchase from the US e-Shop.

For the US e-shop, you will be prompted for a zip code; be sure to select a state that doesn’t have sales tax. 

Here are some codes you can use:
  • 97330 – Corvallis, Oregon
  • 03222 – New Hampshire, Bristol
  • 97222 – Milwaukie, Oregon
  • 97116 – Forest Grove, Oregon
  • 97080 – Portland, Oregon
Note: This is only valid for users outside of the Americas region. US citizens need to use their original states for tax obligations.

When there are sales, it can be more affordable to get some games digitally. The only downside is you cannot resell the game once you have completed it or if you find that you don't like it. And you need to have enough storage so buying an external SD card is a must if you plan on getting ma=ostly or may games digitally. Like the physical  game carts, you can get gold coins to offset your next digital purchase. 

I was able to get Mario Rabbits Kingdom Battle Gold Edition for less than USD$20, which was SGD$21.02 after conversion. The physical game cartridge without the DLC goes for around SGD$35-40 for a brand new game cart, and around SGD$25-30 if it is 2nd hand.

To stay updated on the latest sales or drop in prices on games, you can set up price alert on Deku DealsDeku Deals tracks the prices of Nintendo Switch games on the e-Shop and at major retailers in order to find the best deals.






What has do you know about the different game regions? Share it with us below in the comments below!

~Comments, shares and follows are most definitely appreciated! 💬💞

Sunday, April 10, 2022

Nintendo Switch Game Region (Physical Game Cartridges)

April 10, 2022 0 Comments
For physical cartridges, it is easy to tell the regions they are from as the region will be printed on the cartridge code and case.

Here is a list of codes:
  • USA: North America
  • EUR: Europe
  • JPN: Japan
  • AUS: Australia
  • CHT: China / Hong Kong / Taiwan
  • KOR: Korea
  • ASI: Asia

You can also tell by the ratings system displayed in the lower-left corner of the game box cover art insert.

  • USA: E for Everyone, T for Teen, M for Mature, etc.
  • PAL: Green label with the number 3-7, Yellow label the number 12-16, Red label with the number 18, etc.
  • JPN: Cero A, Cero B, etc.
  • KOR: 12, 15, etc.

For those of us living in South East Asia, Maxsoft and Convergent are our official distributors. They are the ones who import the games from Nintendo. The covers are for the MDE(Middle East Region) are basically the US carts with the E rating on the front but a slightly different back cover (with the MDE one mentioning the Middle East Region). The game cart itself is indistinguishable from the US one as it is the same -USA. Of course, you would still be able to get other covers as games from other regions are also imported (or you could just buy it online).

Fun Fact: Did you know that the spine title alignment for EUR and USA are different?

USA versions are more aesthetically aligned while EUR versions are centralised.
Sometimes physical game cartridges are cheaper when there are sales, and for those of us familiar with AmazonShopee and Lazada, they do have pretty good sales from time to time. 
 
If you want it a little more affordable, because let’s admit it Nintendo games are not exactly cheap, you can get them second hand come Carousell or Facebook Marketplace for slightly less then retail price. However, prices hardly drop much for Nintendo games, so you may manage to get a good deal for second-hand games or you might have better luck with brand new ones.

Do remember to do your research before buying, especially if the price is too good to be true. If the retail price is around S$69.90 or on the e-Shop USD$59.99, and you see it going for less than 1/3 of the price do check if they are selling second-hand physical cartridges or a digital version of the game. If it is a digital version, then it’s against Nintendo’s terms and conditions.

One advantage owning a physical game cartridge is that when you are done with it or are no longer interested in playing you could always resell it off on the second-hand market. 
 
As mentioned earlier, the prices for pre-loved games do not drop that much so the loss is minimal and you can use the monies to fund your next gaming adventure.


What has do you know about the different game regions? Share it with us below in the comments below!

~Comments, shares and follows are most definitely appreciated! 💬💞

Monday, April 4, 2022

Nintendo Account Region

April 04, 2022 0 Comments
When you are setting up your Nintendo Switch you would be promoted to create a user profile and link it to a Nintendo Account. You can set up your Nintendo Account via the console or your good old computer browser.

This is when you link it to an email account and set up the region to allow you to buy digital games and get the online subscription etc…
 


When prompted to key in your region, please select one of the regions previously displayed when choosing your Console Region (e.g. America, Europe, Japan etc). You can also choose another region (that your console states). For example, if you Switch console region was set to Korea, you can select America for your Nintendo Account region. It’s best to select a region which Nintendo has e-Shops for.
  • The Americas (America)
  • Europe
  • Australia / New Zealand
  • Japan
  • Hong Kong / Taiwan / South Korea

Why you might ask? Well that’s because choosing a region on your Nintendo Account affects your Nintendo e-Shop access: the e-Shop only recognizes a select few regions and sometimes the cities and states located in these regions. For example, if you select “Singapore” or “Malaysia”, you will get an error message saying “Nintendo eShop is currently not available in your country/region”.
 
Different country e-Shops have different promotions at different times, if you want to leverage that advantage, you should create a new Nintendo Account for each country's e-Shop to keep track and manage your digital purchase. You can also switch your Nintendo Account to another region / country, but the downside would be any Gold Points, funds or credits that you have in that account would be void once your region is changed.
 
Do note that the currency and language might also be country specific as well: if Japan was your selected region the currency will be Yen, and the games will be Japan region games and entirely in Japanese.

It might be also good to know that there are times when certain games have DLC packs (additional content) that are region locked, meaning if you have a Europe Region game, you would have need to go the Europe e-Shop store to purchase the DLC packs. If you purchased it from the US e-shop or another region, it might not work. So always do your research before buying DLC content. Splatoon is one such example.
 
But freight not, mainline Nintendo published games such as Mario, Zelda, Pokemon etc… tend to have DLC that is region free, meaning that if you have a game (digital or physical) in the Europe Region, and you see a good sale for DLCs on the US e-shop you can go ahead and purchase it.
 
How do you check which regions are supported? All you need to do is press the “plus”/+ button when selecting your software, go to “Software Information” and click on “Support Information”. For most games, supported regions for that software will be displayed here.
 
Of course, if you are unsure or note that tech-savvy, it’s best and much easier to just stick with your game region when getting an DLC to save yourself the hassle.




What has do you know about the different game regions? Share it with us below in the comments below!

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Thursday, March 24, 2022

Nintendo Switch Console Region

March 24, 2022 0 Comments
There are many regions for the Nintendo Switch and it might get confusing at times on the regions and setting up your Switch and Nintendo account, both of which work hand in hand but yet independent of each other. Confused? Read on…

This is the first thing you will see when setting up your Switch. It will prompt you to set up a region for your console. There are a few regions to select from:
  1. The Americas (America)
  2. Europe
  3. Australia / New Zealand
  4. Japan
  5. Hong Kong / Taiwan / South Korea

If you haven’t noticed by now, if you are not in any of the above-mentioned regions then you can pretty much choose any region you want. For example, choosing “The Americas” for example, will set your Nintendo Switch Console region to America. If you feel later that you want to change your console region you can do it anytime you want.



The region that you select for you console does not have to match the region as your game. Yes, there are regions for games, but not to worry they are not region locked. You can still pop in a Japan or Europe game cartridge and play on your console which was set to America.


So what exactly is the point of the region setting? It’s mostly for in-game data and may affect the language choices available. It doesn’t restrict you from playing any game!

If you want to know how to set up your Switch for the first time (be it a Gen 1/2, OLED or Lite), you can refer to this which pretty much sums it up nicely with screenshots to follow.





What has do you know about the different game regions? Share it with us below in the comments below!

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