Nintendo Switch 2 Update Makes Bundled Game Downloads Easier To Spot

24 November 2025
Nintendo Switch 2
9 min.
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Nintendo Switch 2 Update Makes Bundled Game Downloads Easier To Spot

Summary:

Nintendo has adjusted Nintendo Switch 2 so that bundled digital games are much easier to notice and claim, especially in popular packages that include Mario Kart World or Pokemon Legends Z-A. Instead of expecting players to open Nintendo eShop and somehow know that a full game is tied to their console, the system now surfaces a dedicated icon on the HOME Menu whenever a compatible digital bundle is detected. One glance tells you that a game is waiting to be downloaded, which dramatically reduces the odds of someone leaving their launch system on the shelf without ever touching the included game. This change sits alongside Nintendo’s existing support pages for Switch 2 digital bundles, where the company already explains the difference between download codes and games that register automatically to a Nintendo Account when eShop is opened. Together, the new HOME Menu icon and clearer instructions help families, newcomers, and returning fans move from unboxing to playing without second guessing where their bundled game went or whether it even exists on the system.

What changed in the Nintendo Switch 2 HOME Menu for bundled games

Nintendo Switch 2 originally treated bundled digital games almost like a quiet bonus. If you bought a console package that included a download of Mario Kart World or Pokemon Legends Z-A, nothing obvious appeared on the HOME Menu until you opened Nintendo eShop and allowed the system to register the product. That behaviour has now shifted. After the latest system update, Switch 2 shows a dedicated icon on the HOME Menu when the hardware is tied to a digital bundle. Instead of a blank row of tiles and a hidden entitlement in the background, you see a clear prompt that essentially says there is a game waiting for you. It is a small visual tweak in theory, but in practice it changes the very first minutes of owning the console, especially for anyone who has never touched a Nintendo system before and might not explore eShop without a visible hint.

Why Nintendo added a dedicated bundled game download icon

If you have used Nintendo systems for years, the idea of opening eShop to check for a digital bundle might feel obvious, but that assumption collapses the moment you look at how real households behave. Many people unbox a Switch 2 on a birthday or during the holidays, connect to Wi Fi, and then stare at the HOME Menu wondering why the game mentioned on the box is nowhere to be seen. Support pages and retailer staff already field questions from buyers who believe their bundle is missing the promised game, when in reality it is simply hidden behind a step that only experienced users know about. By adding a dedicated icon that appears automatically, Nintendo reduces support load, cuts down on confusion at retail, and improves early impressions of the hardware. It also aligns better with how pre installed software works on earlier systems, where a game icon sits on the HOME Menu and walks you through registration rather than expecting you to piece things together alone.

How the new icon behaves with Mario Kart World and Pokemon Legends Z-A bundles

Mario Kart World and Pokemon Legends Z-A are among the most appealing Switch 2 bundles because they speak to completely different audiences: party focused racing fans on one side and story hungry Pokemon players on the other. With the new HOME Menu behaviour, both kinds of buyers see a similar experience. After initial setup, an icon appears that represents the bundled game licence attached to the console. Selecting it starts the process of registering and downloading the relevant title through Nintendo eShop while still keeping everything anchored to the familiar HOME Menu. You are not expected to search for the game manually or type its name into the eShop bar, which avoids spelling mistakes and region confusion. The system simply recognises that the hardware you are using is part of a specific console package and exposes the entitlement as a direct, visible tile the way a pre installed game would, only this time the download begins from scratch rather than unlocking data already on the system.

Step by step: redeeming a bundled digital game on Nintendo Switch 2

For anyone unwrapping a Switch 2 bundle today, the path from box to playing the included game is far smoother than before, but it still helps to understand what is happening behind the scenes. Once you have connected the console to the internet and linked or created a Nintendo Account, the system checks whether your hardware serial and account combination qualifies for a bundled digital title. If it does, the HOME Menu surfaces the bundle icon near your other tiles. Select it, confirm the account that should receive the game, and follow the prompts to register the product to that user. After registration, the familiar download bar appears under the game icon as data is pulled from Nintendo’s servers. In the background, the console treats the whole process as a full game purchase tied to your Nintendo Account, which means you can re download it later through eShop or the virtual game cards menu if you ever delete it to free up space.

How the change fits into Nintendo’s wider digital bundle approach

Nintendo has spent the Switch era shifting more and more bundles from physical pack in game cards to digital entitlements that live in eShop. Official support pages explain that there are two broad types of Switch 2 bundles: those that ship with traditional download codes on an insert and those that register a full game download to your Nintendo Account when you visit eShop. The new HOME Menu icon slots cleanly into that second category. Instead of silently waiting for you to open the store, the console now treats the bundled product almost like a hybrid of pre installed software and an automatic entitlement. You still complete the download yourself, which keeps storage flexible, but you no longer need outside knowledge to start. For Nintendo, this means it can lean harder on digital bundles for marquee releases without worrying that a chunk of buyers will never figure out how to claim the included title, something that could otherwise damage player satisfaction and perceived value.

Practical tips for new Switch 2 owners setting up a bundled game

Even with the new icon in place, a few simple habits make life much easier when you are getting a Switch 2 up and running. First, take a moment during setup to connect the console to a stable, reasonably fast internet connection, as your bundled game will not download at all without this step. Second, assign the console’s primary user carefully, especially in households where parents and children share the system, because the bundled game will register to the Nintendo Account chosen during the download process. Third, resist the urge to skip eShop entirely during those early minutes. Even though the icon lives on the HOME Menu, eShop still handles registration behind the scenes, and opening it at least once ensures any pending entitlements are recognised correctly. Finally, keep your console charged or docked during the download. Nothing drains enthusiasm faster than watching a brand new system shut down halfway through the very first game installation.

Managing storage when downloading a pre-included digital game

While the focus of this update is discoverability, storage planning quietly sits right next to it. Switch 2 ships with more internal storage than its predecessor, but major releases like Mario Kart World, Pokemon Legends Z-A, and other modern titles still consume a healthy slice of that capacity. Before you trigger the bundled download, it is worth dipping into the system settings menu to see how much space is already taken up by other games, screenshots, or videos. If you are migrating from an earlier Switch and have used the transfer tools, you might find that old favourites have followed you across and are already occupying room on the new console. In that situation, archiving something you do not intend to play for a while can clear the way for your bundled game without forcing any painful choices. Investing in a microSD or microSD Express card early on also prevents a lot of future juggling as your library grows.

Troubleshooting when the bundled game icon does not appear

There will still be cases where the promised icon refuses to show up, and knowing how to respond saves you from unnecessary panic. Start by confirming that your console is running the latest system version, since older firmware may not include the refined bundle behaviour. Next, double check that your Nintendo Account region matches the region of the console bundle you purchased, because some packages are restricted to specific countries and will not register cleanly if the account is set elsewhere. If the HOME Menu still looks empty, open Nintendo eShop manually, select your user icon, and scroll to the section labelled with products bundled with the console to see whether the entitlement is waiting there. For bundles that rely on a printed download code, inspect the box and inserts carefully and follow Nintendo’s standard redeem code process in eShop. If none of these steps work, contacting Nintendo support with proof of purchase is usually the fastest route to a fix.

What this update suggests for future Nintendo Switch 2 bundles

Looking ahead, this seemingly small tweak hints at how Nintendo plans to handle bundles throughout the Switch 2 life cycle. A clearer HOME Menu signal for included games encourages the company to experiment with more aggressive digital packages, whether that means multiple titles tied to one console or limited edition bundles that mix base games with expansion DLC. It also lays groundwork for special pack ins that may rely entirely on digital access, such as seasonal collections or time limited offers that never receive physical game cards at all. Because the bundle icon behaves like a native part of the operating system rather than a one off hack, Nintendo can apply it consistently to new offers without retraining players each time. As a result, retailers can confidently promote bundles knowing that buyers will actually notice and download what they paid for instead of leaving value locked behind confusing menus.

Final thoughts on user friendliness for first time Switch 2 players

For seasoned Nintendo fans who routinely scan eShop notifications, this change might look minor, but for first time players it can mean the difference between an instant, joyful first race in Mario Kart World and an evening spent wondering whether the game on the box was a mistake. A HOME Menu that proactively surfaces bundled games respects the reality that not everyone reads manuals, follows firmware news, or combs through support sites before sitting down to play. It turns the system update into a quiet quality of life boost that most people will never consciously notice, yet they will feel it through smoother unboxing experiences and fewer frustrating searches for missing games. In a hardware generation where digital distribution is only growing, these small moves toward clarity help Switch 2 feel welcoming, reduce friction for families, and remind buyers that the value printed on the front of the console box really is waiting for them inside.

Conclusion

Nintendo’s decision to highlight bundled digital games with a dedicated Switch 2 HOME Menu icon gently fixes a long standing pain point without reinventing how the system works. Instead of hiding valuable entitlements behind unspoken expectations about opening eShop, the console now raises its hand and clearly signals that a game is ready to download. That simple design choice removes uncertainty for parents, newcomers, and anyone returning to Nintendo hardware after a long break. It also reinforces trust in digital bundles at a time when more console packages rely on downloads instead of physical pack ins. As Switch 2 continues to mature and more major releases are sold in digital form, this kind of thoughtful clarity will matter just as much as raw power or flashy trailers, because it shapes the everyday experience of turning the system on and getting straight to play.

FAQs

  • How do I know if my Nintendo Switch 2 bundle includes a digital game?

    • If your Switch 2 is part of a digital bundle, recent system software now displays a dedicated icon on the HOME Menu once the console is connected to the internet and linked to a Nintendo Account. Selecting that icon walks you through registering and downloading the bundled title so you do not have to search for it manually in Nintendo eShop.

  • What if the bundled game icon does not appear on my HOME Menu?

    • First make sure your Switch 2 system software is up to date and that you are online. Then open Nintendo eShop, choose your user icon, and scroll to the area that lists products bundled with the console to see if the game is waiting there. For bundles with a printed code, follow the usual redeem code steps in eShop instead. If you still see nothing, contact Nintendo support with your proof of purchase.

  • Can I choose which Nintendo Account receives the bundled game?

    • Yes, during the registration process you confirm which Nintendo Account should receive the entitlement. In a shared household, it is a good idea to decide beforehand whether the bundled game should belong to a parent account or a child profile, because the licence will be tied to that account for future re downloads and use on other systems that may be linked later.

  • Do I need extra storage to download my bundled game on Switch 2?

    • That depends on how full your console already is and which game the bundle includes. Modern titles can use a substantial chunk of the internal drive, so it helps to check the data management section in system settings before starting the download. If space is tight, you can archive something you are not playing or insert a microSD or microSD Express card to expand storage.

  • Can I re download my bundled digital game if I delete it later?

    • Once the bundled game has been registered to your Nintendo Account, it behaves like any other purchased digital title. If you delete it to free up room, you can re download it through Nintendo eShop or the virtual game cards menu without paying again, as long as you sign in with the same account that originally registered the bundle entitlement.

Sources
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