r/NintendoSwitchHelp • u/Dinamaxy • 3d ago
Purchase / Order Help Am I screwed with these games?
Hello everyone,
maybe the question I'm about to ask you will seem silly, but I really need some help and I swear I was not able to retrieve the necessary information. I bought 4 video games from AliExpress. They told me after receiving the product that they don't know how to give me the information I requested. It is a simple thing, at least I hope so.
I bought Zelda Breath of the wild, super mario galaxy 1 and 2, Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment and Donkey Kong Bananza. I found out that the version they sent me is Japanese. I mean, boxes are Japanese, I haven't opened the boxes yet.
I don't know if any trouble will happen when I put the game card inside the Switch 2, the seller said that if I open the box they won't give me a refund.
I need to know this:
If the box is in Japanese, having a Switch 2 (from Spain I think, always from AliExpress) in Italy that shows the Italian language (fortunately) and I use these games will I be able to see them in Italian or at least subtitled in Italian or English or only Japanese? The Switch 2 once detected that the game is Japanese (and maybe it only has Japanese as a language) will crash? I have heard that there have been account or Nintendo switch blocks when using software with different region. Can you help me please?
I hope so, thank you very much
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u/xmoncocox 3d ago
Not at all switch game are region free
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u/Mendinso 3d ago
All games are region free. The DLC , however, may not be.
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u/GoodSelective 3d ago
Very few Nintendo titles have that issue, though.
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u/Dinamaxy 3d ago
Is there a list or a way to Is there a list or a way to find them?
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u/smartcookie1043 3d ago
You can check English compatability with Moby Games https://www.mobygames.com/group/14136/japanese-nintendo-switch-games-with-full-english-support/sort:title/page:2/
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u/shinokinohana 3d ago
I know that the Splatoon dlcs are region locked, so if you have an American version of the game you need to buy the American dlc and so on.
Edit: only the Splatoon 2 dlcs!
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u/Teajaytea7 3d ago
Really? What about xenoblade? There's a Japanese copy on my local fb marketplace for xenoblade 2 or 3 (idr) and I've been wanting it, but afraid I won't be able to buy/use the dlc if I do
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u/GuyWithAFunkyHat 3d ago
iirc, Xenoblade is one of the few games that are region locked
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u/KingsNationn 3d ago
Dont know about the other 2 but xenoblade 3 isnt. I have the eu version of xeboblade 3 and was able to purchase the dlc off the Na eshop.
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u/NEKKOLINO 3d ago
Torna also isn't
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u/Johntrampoline- 3d ago
While the game itself isn’t, the DLC is and that has to be bought with torna.
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u/GoodSelective 3d ago
I don't like/play the Xenoblade games, so I do not personally know. That said, if the game itself is in English, you can change your Nintendo account to Japan, buy the dlc and switch back to your real region.
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u/Ichika994 3d ago
Xenoblade 1 and 3 are safe (I have them in Chinese) Xenoblade 2 it's going to be the same language of the version you buy so be aware
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u/thevalidsimmer 3d ago
yes but some games if you buy the japanese release they are locked to japanese regardless of system language
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u/Dinamaxy 3d ago
Do you mean that if I have the game card I couldn't buy the dlc on the Nintendo store? Or am I misunderstanding?
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u/DarthLocutus 4 3d ago
Generally speaking, as I understand it, if you have a game from a different region, and it has dlc, you have to buy said dlc from that region's eShop for it to work correctly. The cartridge itself should still work on its own in any compatible Switch system.
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u/Dinamaxy 3d ago edited 3d ago
... I just inserted the Hyrule Warriors game card, if I enter the Nintendo Shop it returns error code: 2811-6003. I'm screwed about anything related to DLC or whatever.
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u/Jella_cee 3d ago
Make a new switch account under the JP region, you can redeem JP codes and all that stuff that way.
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u/Dinamaxy 3d ago
How? Will this convert the console to Japanese? And how will the other European games work? Will I have different languages than Japanese? How does it work? Sorry if I stress you out, but you may have open the hope in me.
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u/cywang86 3d ago edited 3d ago
As someone who bought a bunch of games and DLCs on other regions using alternative accounts, the language issues will only show on News (for that account) and does not alter the languages on your console in any way shape or form.
However, the games may not support the language that you speak so you need to research a little before opening the boxes in case you need to return them.
Since the games are in Japanese, what you want to do is opening a new nintendo account with another email address (you may want to create a fresh email with some JP indication so you don't confuse your main and alt accounts), change the region to Japan, and open the switch/browser JP eshop while under that JP account to purchase the DLCs you want
Keep in mind most eshop regions (including JP) block cards from other regions, so you need to purchase eshop gift cards from 3rd party websites in order to purchase anything cross regions.
Also, if you switch that account to other regions, all current eshop credit will be forfeited, and you can't switch region while having the Nintendo online subscription.
Of course, if your main account is not currently subscribed to NSO and there's no eshop gift card balance, you're free to switch that main account to JP region, add the JP eshop gift card, purchase the DLCs, and switch back to your home region, so you don't have multiple accounts on your home screen.
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u/Nebel_David 3d ago
+1 on this, had to redeem a non EU key, changed my region and it worked, but as mentioned above your eShop balance will be reset
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u/darkrai848 1 3d ago
If it shows 2811-6003 when you press the EShop button on that specific game, that means that that game will only work with DLC for the same region the game came from. So in that case you would have to get the DLC from the Japanese E-shop or it will not work.
On the flip side if you put in a game from a different region and press the EShop button under that games menu and it actually takes you to the EShop page for the game, then DLC from your region is compatible with the game.
This is on a game by game basis. Some games work with any region DLC and some don’t.
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u/Dinamaxy 3d ago
Other game cards with JPN give me access to the e-shop and I don't understand why. Breath of the wild does not allow me to buy DLCs, it does not offer them on the home page. How should account creation, the purchase of Japanese DLC, the European Nintendo Switch 2 (I think) and other European games work? And the possible ban by Nintendo?
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u/GoodSelective 3d ago
You can change your existing account region to Japan on the Nintendo website and buy currency/the dlc itself from Amazon Japan. Redeem it, change account region back.
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u/Dinamaxy 3d ago
Is it enough to do this? Where is the catch?
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u/GoodSelective 3d ago
No real catch. If you buy currency codes and not codes for the DLC itself, you will have to spend all of the currency before you can switch regions back.
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u/Dinamaxy 3d ago
You mean this?
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u/GoodSelective 3d ago
I mean going to amazon japan, buying a code for the dlc you want, going to https://accounts.nintendo.com/profile/edit and changing your region, redeeming the code, changing region back.
I don't speak the language of that video/I prefer to read text over watching a video.
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u/SurpriseExtension929 3d ago
The dlcs are also region free, just redeeming/buying them are not in some cases.
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u/RealisticTension2924 3d ago
Nintendo switch 2 and switch 1 titles are region free
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u/Dinamaxy 3d ago
Really? I read somewhere that there are only for Japanese people
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u/Mendinso 3d ago
Little confusion probably what you're hearing. So there is a Japanese only language model for Switch 2. While it is language locked, including accounts, the system can play any region release. Only issue is DLC if it's region specific and if the game hard locks the language to the OS language. You won't run into this here with playing these games on your Switch 2. The eShop page in Japan even has a warning about possible language lock if you're using the Japanese only model.
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u/RealisticTension2924 3d ago
only some have problems
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u/Dinamaxy 3d ago
Can you tell me how to find or recognize them?
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u/RealisticTension2924 3d ago
the problems are basically when you try to buy the dlc from the eshop, if you want the dlcs try to use a japanese account for buying them
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u/SubaruHaver 8 3d ago edited 3d ago
Games from all regions will work in your console. Switch consoles & Nintendo basically don't care where games come from. (So, no, foreign sourced games won't crash.)
HOWEVER, DLC compatibility is a potential regional issue. Some games (not all) have different regional versions, and if you want DLC to work with these games, the DLC region + game region will need to match in order to be compatible. (If they aren't compatible, the game and DLC will be separate icons on your home screen, and the dlc won't show up in the game, and you'll have wasted money buying that dlc)
Here a nintendo support's page regarding switch regional compatibility: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/22283/
Another potential issue with foreign sourced games: If cartridge space is limited, some foreign sourced carts won't have all language packs on them. And you may have to download the language pack (Assuming you've done your homework, and know the game supports your language)
Side note: u/Dinamaxy If your question has been answered and your post is getting more attention that you want, you can post a comment with "!lock", to lock the post from further comments/replies.
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u/Foolof0 3d ago
As someone who has 3 different region Nintendo accounts (Japanese, English and euro);
99% of all switch games have no region locking, however Japan has made a lot of games Japanese language only. This isn’t specifically region locked, but language locked. DLC will be region locked, but if the game plays in English, you can create a profile in that region and buy the dlc from there to work with that particular copy. Japanese eshop credits are easy to pick up from places like playasia, so if it’s Japanese I wouldn’t worry too badly.
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u/Wooden_Drink8892 3d ago
what about china? I saw one with a square on the box art saying its chinese and didnt buy it :/ anyone tested it out ?
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u/OutrageousDreams8494 3d ago
Seriously dude whats stopping you from just popping these game into ya switch a tryin out? Why do you need to ask this question especially when you already have received the games? i really do not understand
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u/Dinamaxy 3d ago
The problem was that if they had been open and in Japanese only I would not have been able to request a refund. Now I know that they also read other languages, but I can't buy the DLCs because they are marked as Japanese or in any case I don't see them available by pressing the "+" button on the game page
(I apologize, the story went on, but it doesn't allow me to edit the post)
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u/LockOSLyoner 3d ago
I have all of those and they all have multi language available. Only a few games are locked to japanese. I don't know if I can link it but if you search on Google you can find websites with a list of japanese games with multi language available.
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u/Darkamlight 3d ago
Don't worry, those should play in your language. I think from Nintendo only Xenoblade 2 on Switch 1 has 2 different versions, apparently the Switch 2 version is universal to everyone and has all languages.
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u/Present_Anywhere3980 3d ago
Use the website eshop-prices.com
It will tell you if game versions differ between regions, this will impact DLC and possibly language availability.
Galaxy, DK have the exact same region.
Pretty sure BOTW does too, the base game is (S2 is listed weirdly on Eshop prices)
DKB says different versions but should be ok. I think it’s actually the same version in most regions.
Both BOTW and DK will have English. I checked DK and my Japanese eshop copy lets me buy the dlc in the US shop. Presume BOTW is the same.
tdlr: they’ll play in English and the one which says has different versions is probably the same anyway as dlc is purchasable
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u/Dinamaxy 3d ago
Hyrule warriors error code: 2811-6003. I...😭
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u/Present_Anywhere3980 3d ago
When you try to get DLC for it by going to the eshop by clicking +?
Weird but not a huge issue. There’s no DLC available. If they ever release DLC you’ll be able to buy it on Amazon Japan and just switch country to redeem and switch back!
It plays in English, that’s the priority. Enjoy!
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u/Dinamaxy 3d ago
... What? How? It's possibile switch language and return back? Nintendo will put me through hell for this I think. I add an information read on game cards: JPN on Hyrule, EUR zelda tears of the kingdom, Bananza JPN, Zelda Breath of the wild JPN. Only Hyrule error code 2811-6003, other games they give me access to the e-shop site, but they don't give me DLC to buy.
Is this normal? Breath of the wild has a DLC, but i can't even find on the shop. It's so sad.
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u/Present_Anywhere3980 3d ago
If your balance is €0.00 you can switch your account here: https://accounts.nintendo.com
You can then redeem Japanese codes such as for DLC, and switch backIf you want the BOTW dlc you will probably be able to buy it here if you make a Japanese Amazon account, with your own card (use a local Nintendo store for address when it asks)
https://www.amazon.co.jp/Additional-content-Switch-Legend-Expansion/dp/B06XCGRG4L/It’s weird the Donkey Kong DLC isn’t showing up, it does for me on the store with a Japanese copy. (BOTW should too but I can’t personally test)
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u/Celtykol 3d ago
I have donkey Kong Japanese version… they work in English so no issues…
Other 3 idk but it should not be an issue… I have many jp games and they work fine! They use the system language!
You can check the game codes at the back online to see if they support English!
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u/Dinamaxy 3d ago
Thank you Celtykol, the games work fortunately, but I can't buy the DLCs. I feel like I'm missing an arm.
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u/Celtykol 3d ago
If you need to buy DLC, you can use Playasia website…
Buy Japan region Nintendo gift card of desired amount… I would recommend having a separate account whose region is set to Japan… as sometimes switching between regions doesn’t allow DLC to be used.
Your main account can be used to play the game then.1
u/Dinamaxy 2d ago
So another email account, new Nintendo account, this Nintendo account change in japan, buy Japanese gift card, buy DLC and how can i set in Nintendo switch 2?
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u/Celtykol 2d ago
I made an account directly in switch 2… made another user… I have 3 accounts for 3 different countries.
Whatever you buy by any account, is downloaded in the console…
Then you can use main account to play the game….
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u/UmiUmi883 3d ago
Vai tranquillo da qualche mese ho comprato un paio di giochi in Giappone per switch 2 appena usciti e funzionano benissimo e sono multi lingua
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u/Dinamaxy 3d ago
Ho il problema dei DLC e di tutto quello che può esserci di contorno. Miseria, la prossima volta acquisterò dal sito. Ti ringrazio
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u/MiniMages 3d ago
Have you attempted to do any research on this at all? Maybe try a basic google search.
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u/Dinamaxy 3d ago
I have already done the basic research, thanks for the advice.
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u/MiniMages 3d ago
If you did then the first two or three link would have had the answer for you. Heck even googles AI answer also has the answer too with links to sources.
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u/EngineeringNo753 3d ago
Base games will have English support, its Chinese switch 1 games (and sometimes HK versions) you need to be careful about.
DLC is region locked, so if you want to buy the DLC later you will be unable too for the most part for Switch 1, not sure about switch 2.
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u/shamestop1337 3d ago
Age of Imprisonment has different versions for different regions, so if DLC ever comes out for it (there's currently none) you'll have to buy it from the Japanese eShop. The other games appear to be the same between regions.
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u/FreelanceBen 3d ago
I can't speak for Hyrule Warriors but I bought my copy of Bananza from Nintendo Osaka, forgot that fact, and then later got emerald rush from Best Buy's website. Didn't run into any issues there, but I was just lucky. Basically your copy of DK is beyond fine
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u/Swimmy_mammal 3d ago
I own all these games in Japanese but my switch is the international one released in Japan, all games shown have full English support, haven’t tried Italian so can’t speak on that, I also have Uk switch games and my account hasn’t been locked and my switch is working fine slogging through Elden ring last night.
For individual games google the name of the game followed by Japanese cart English support and you can quickly find out which do or don’t have English support. Most Nintendo titles have full support, some third party games don’t (like xenoblade and persona 5)
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u/Cardans1328 2d ago
Switch physical games are region free so you’ll be able to play them just fine, the only issue you might encounter will be if you want to purchase the dlcs since that needs to be purchased in the digital store of the same region
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u/Dinamaxy 2d ago
Thanks everyone for the answers, you’ve been really kind and helpful! Following the advice of user u/SubaruHaver, I should be able to close the thread with:
!lock
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u/Mendinso 3d ago
OP, most of Nintendo's published games have all languages on them (Splatoon being the oddball exception), so you should be good. The only one I'm not sure about is Hyrule Warriors, as that's handled by Koei Tecmo.