Yes, it is possible to check the balance on a Nintendo eShop card. Nintendo eShop cards, also known as Nintendo eShop gift cards, are a convenient way to add funds directly to your Nintendo Account to purchase digital games and content on the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch console, Wii U console, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
Ways to Check Nintendo eShop Card Balance
There are a few different ways you can check the balance on a Nintendo eShop card. Here are the main options:
- Redeem the card on the Nintendo eShop – When you enter the redemption code from the eShop card on the Nintendo eShop, it will tell you the remaining balance amount.
- Call Nintendo customer support – You can call Nintendo customer service at 1-800-255-3700 (US) or 1-855-548-4693 (Canada) and provide the card’s serial number. They can check the balance for you.
- Check online – Some third party websites allow you to enter the card’s serial number or redemption code to check the balance online.
- Check on your Nintendo system – On a Nintendo Switch, Wii U, or Nintendo 3DS system, go to the Nintendo eShop, select the account you want to add funds to, and select “Add Funds.” Enter the card’s code and it will show the amount that will be added.
The most straightforward option is just to enter the eShop card code directly on the Nintendo eShop of your console. This will instantly let you see the full balance amount. The other options can be helpful if you don’t have access to your Nintendo system.
Where to Find Card Details to Check Balance
In order to check the balance on a Nintendo eShop card, you’ll need to locate the relevant card details:
- Card serial number – This is the unique number printed on the back of the card below the scratch-off area. You’ll need this to check balance by phone or online.
- Redemption code – This is the 16-digit Nintendo eShop code under the scratch-off area on the back of the card. You can enter this code on the eShop to check or redeem the balance.
- PIN number – Some cards may come with a separate PIN number inside the packaging that can be used to check the balance online or by phone in place of the serial number.
Checking Balance on the Nintendo eShop
The most convenient way to check your Nintendo eShop card balance is directly on the Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo Switch, Wii U, or Nintendo 3DS system. Here is how to do it:
- Turn on your Nintendo system and launch the Nintendo eShop.
- Select your Nintendo Account profile icon in the top right corner.
- Choose “Add Funds” from the dropdown menu.
- Select “Redeem a Nintendo eShop Card.”
- Carefully scratch off the silver area on the back of the card to reveal the 16-digit redemption code.
- Enter the 16-digit code and select OK.
- The eShop will now display a message with the amount that will be added to your account balance from the eShop card.
This will let you see the full balance amount remaining on the card before redeeming it. You can then choose to redeem the funds to your account wallet or cancel and redeem the card later.
Checking Balance Online
If you don’t have access to your Nintendo system, some websites allow you to check your Nintendo eShop card balance online. Here are a couple reliable options:
Nintendo Support Site
You can check most Nintendo eShop card balances on the official Nintendo support site:
- Go to https://ec.nintendo.com/my/#/balance
- Select your country from the dropdown menu.
- Enter the card’s 16-digit Nintendo eShop redemption code.
- Select “Check balance.”
- The available balance for the card will be displayed.
PlayStation Gift Card Balance Site
Although mainly designed for PlayStation cards, this popular gift card balance site also lets you check Nintendo eShop card balances:
- Go to https://www.playstation.com/en-us/campaigns/2019/gift-card-balance/
- Select Nintendo eShop Card from the dropdown menu.
- Enter the card’s serial number or claim code.
- Select Check Balance.
- The available balance will be displayed.
This lookup tool works for most Nintendo eShop cards. Just make sure you select Nintendo eShop Card before entering the details.
Checking by Contacting Nintendo
If you need assistance or none of the online balance check options work for your particular Nintendo eShop card, you can contact Nintendo customer support to check the balance. There are a couple ways to do this:
Call Nintendo Support
- US: Call 1-800-255-3700
- Canada: Call 1-855-548-4693
When prompted, select the option for Nintendo eShop support. Then provide the customer service representative with the 16-digit serial number from the back of your Nintendo eShop Card. They can use this to look up the balance details for you.
Live Chat Support
You may also be able to get live chat support on Nintendo’s website. Try looking for a “Contact Us” link on Nintendo.com and see if live chat is available in your region.
In the chat, provide your Nintendo eShop card serial number and ask the representative to please check the balance for you. They will look up the card details and let you know the remaining funds.
Troubleshooting Balance Issues
In some rare cases, you may run into trouble checking the balance on a Nintendo eShop card. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Make sure you are entering the 16-digit redemption code or serial number correctly, as one wrong digit can prevent lookup.
- Try checking the balance using multiple options (online, eShop, phone) in case one method is not working properly.
- Contact Nintendo support if you still can’t view the card balance for assistance.
- If the card has already been fully redeemed, the balance will show $0.00 or empty.
- For errors like code not recognized or card expired, contact the retailer for a refund or replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get the card serial number if the scratch-off label is already removed?
If the scratch-off sticker on the back of the Nintendo eShop card has already been removed and discarded, you may still be able to retrieve the serial number. Carefully check the white area underneath where the scratch-off label was – the full serial number is typically printed there in small type. If you cannot read the serial number, you will need to contact Nintendo support with information about when/where the card was purchased so they can look up the serial number for you.
Do Nintendo eShop cards expire?
Yes, Nintendo eShop cards have an expiration date and funds must be added to your Nintendo Account before that expiration date. The expiration date is typically 6-12 months after purchasing the eShop card. You can find the expiration date printed on the front of the card in small print at the bottom. Make sure to redeem eShop cards promptly rather than saving them to avoid the funds expiring.
Can I get the money back from an expired Nintendo eShop card?
If your Nintendo eShop card has expired before you had a chance to redeem the funds, you can contact Nintendo customer support to request the balance be restored to the card. You will need to provide details like the card serial number and expiration date. If it has been less than 18 months since the card’s expiration, Nintendo can typically restore the funds so you can redeem the card balance.
Can I check the balance without scratching off the code?
Unfortunately there is no way to check the balance on a Nintendo eShop card without scratching off the coating to reveal the 16-digit redemption code printed underneath. Nintendo’s system requires this code to look up the balance. If you want to check the balance before fully redeeming the funds, carefully scratch off just a small portion of the coating to reveal the full redemption code, then scratch off the rest after checking the balance.
Conclusion
Checking your Nintendo eShop card balance is easy to do – the simplest way is just entering the code directly on the Nintendo eShop on your console. You can also look up the balance online, contact Nintendo support by phone or chat, or use the card’s serial number to check the balance. Doing a quick balance check before redemption allows you to safely store Nintendo eShop cards until you are ready to add the funds to your Nintendo Account wallet and enjoy purchasing new games and DLC!
