Nintendo Account

Nintendo Account is a single sign-on user account system used for Nintendo services on various platforms. Introduced in February 2016, it is used as the account system for Nintendo-published mobile apps, as well as the Nintendo Switch console (where it succeeds the Nintendo Network accounts used for authentication on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U), and other Nintendo services such as My Nintendo.

A Nintendo Account can be created using an email address, or social login via Facebook, Google account, Twitter, or an existing Nintendo Network ID.[1]

History

Prior to his death in July 2015, then-Nintendo president Satoru Iwata secured a business alliance with Japanese mobile provider DeNA to develop mobile titles based on Nintendo's first-party franchises. During a presentation related to this business alliance on March 17, 2014, Iwata announced that a new membership program would be jointly developed by Nintendo and DeNA that encompasses the existing Nintendo 3DS and Wii U systems , smartphones and tablets, as well as a new gaming platform under development codenamed "NX". According to Iwata, the new membership service would "create a connection between Nintendo and each individual consumer regardless of the device the consumer uses."[2]

In anticipation of the launch of Nintendo's first app, Miitomo, as well as the launch of its new loyalty program My Nintendo, Nintendo Account registration opened on February 17, 2016.[3] Nintendo Account was extended to video game hardware with the March 2017 release of Nintendo Switch, where user profiles can be linked to an account for services such as online multiplayer and Nintendo eShop. In preparation for its release, the Nintendo Account ID system was introduced for display names. As of system software 6.0 (released September 2018 alongside Nintendo Switch Online), Nintendo Accounts can no longer be unlinked from profiles on a Switch console.[4][1][5] Nintendo eShop balances can also be merged between Nintendo Network and Nintendo Account profiles.[6]

In April 2020, Nintendo confirmed that up to 160,000 Nintendo Accounts were affected due to a leak of Nintendo Network ID (NNID) user and password information gained via credential stuffing from other breaches, which led to malicious users to use these accounts to purchase digital content on the owner's credit card or stored payment. By April 24, 2020, Nintendo disabled the NNID means to log into the Nintendo Account, emails affected users to change their password, and recommended all users enable two-factor authentication for their Nintendo Account.[7]

Availability

Pre-registration for a Nintendo Account began on February 17, 2016 in 16 markets.[8] A Nintendo Account is required to sign up on My Nintendo. On March 31, 2016, the Nintendo Account, and consequently My Nintendo, was released in 39 markets, and has since been released in more. As of March 2017, Nintendo Account recognizes up to 165 territories.

Similarly to predecessor Club Nintendo, as well as the Nintendo eShop, the Nintendo Network ID and My Nintendo, the Nintendo Account is not IP-restricted, and users from unlisted territories (as well as from listed territories with lesser services) can sign up for a Nintendo Account and use the service, in a country address different from their own without any known repercussions. However, persistent limits of the selected regional Nintendo eShop of choice applies. Regardless, the Nintendo Account is supported in more territories than Club Nintendo was, albeit many of the territories added later may be limited to only Nintendo mobile app support.

References
  1. "All the Nintendo accounts you need for your Switch". Polygon. Retrieved 2018-12-01.
  2. "Nintendo to release games on phones and tablets". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2018-12-01.
  3. "Nintendo opens registration for new Nintendo Account". Polygon. Retrieved 2018-12-01.
  4. Knezevic, Kevin (2018-09-18). "PSA: You Can't Unlink Your Nintendo Switch Account After Today". GameSpot. Retrieved 2018-12-01.
  5. "Nintendo Account IDs now up for grabs". Polygon. Retrieved 2018-12-01.
  6. Dayus, Oscar (2017-03-03). "How To Merge Nintendo Switch, 3DS, And Wii U EShop Credit". GameSpot. Retrieved 2018-12-01.
  7. Phillips, Tom (April 24, 2020). "Nintendo confirms up to 160,000 accounts accessed in huge privacy breach". Eurogamer. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  8. Whitehead, Thomas (February 17, 2016). "Miitomo Preregistration is Now Open in 16 Countries". Nintendo Life. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
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