Nintendo Switch supports remote game downloads

Nintendo has confirmed its new Switch handheld-console hybrid will support remote game downloads at home or on-the-go, similar to the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.

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Let's say you're away from home and you buy a Switch game on Nintendo's website. Even while you're gone, the Switch console will start automatically downloading the game similar to the PS4's remote download feature. The added bonus is that the Switch can auto-download purchased games while on-the-go as long as the system is connected to Wi-Fi. Before you can do any of this, though, you'll have to download a day-one update to access the eShop.

"After visiting Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch for the first time, gamers can also purchase Nintendo Switch digital games on Nintendo.com. Users can purchase the games on Nintendo's website and have them download automatically to their Nintendo Switch system at home or on the go, wherever there is a Wi-Fi connection," Nintendo announced in a recent press release.

So let's say you have your Switch on you but there's no internet nearby. You buy a Switch game on the Nintendo website from your phone, and then walk into Starbucks to piggyback off of their Wi-Fi. When the Switch is connected to the internet it'll automatically start downloading the game while on-the-go just like a 3DS handheld.

Nintendo hasn't yet confirmed if the Switch can download games in Sleep Mode, but I wouldn't be surprised if this was available.

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Furthermore, Nintendo has confirmed that all existing account cash in a Nintendo Account can be used to buy Switch games. Users have to link their Nintendo Accounts to the Switch first, but after that they can use the same pool of wallet cash across all linked devices, including Wii U, 3DS and Switch.

Last but not least Nintendo has sadly announced that the Switch won't have Virtual Console games when it launches on March 3. These games are undoubtedly coming, but they won't be available upon release. Instead we'll get access to a lackluster trio of Nindie eShop games--two of which are for the same game.

The Nintendo Switch launches on March 3, 2017 for $299. Check below for a massive catalog of info.

Everything we know about the Nintendo Switch:

• Nintendo Switch has no Virtual Console games at launch
• Nintendo Switch requires day one update to access eShop
• Nintendo Switch runs cool, about 37C under load
• Nintendo Switch has 25.9 GB available memory, OS is 4GB
• Nintendo Switch may use 4GB LPDDR4 1600MHz RAM
• Early Nintendo Switch consoles were actually stolen
• Nintendo won't make you rebuy eShop games on the Switch
• Nintendo Switch 480p downscale hint at Gamecube VC games
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild will be a playground of fun
• Satoru Iwata put lots of effort into the Nintendo Switch
• Nintendo Switch supports wireless Bluetooth headsets
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild has $20 season pass
• Nintendo Switch uses 20nm Maxwell Tegra SoC
• Nintendo Switch easy for devs, light years past Wii U
• Hitman dev may be working on new IP for Nintendo Switch
• Nintendo Switch could get Wii U game remasters
• 3DS supported alongside Switch 'for the time being'
• Devs can 'easily' port PC games to the Nintendo Switch
• Nintendo Switch JoyCons have 525mAh lithium ion battery
• Nintendo Switch is the gamer's dream, says Hideo Kojima
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild is about doing things your way
• Nintendo Switch has over 100 games in development
• Nintendo Switch paid online service only costs $26 a year
• Nintendo Switch appeals to Japanese smartphone gamers
• New Zelda is based on three words 'climb, live, protect'
• EA: Nintendo listening to third-party Switch game devs
• First footage of Nintendo Switch's touchscreen in action
• Nintendo Switch games lineup: a visual guide
• Nintendo Switch replaces Wii U on Nintendo homesite
• Nintendo Switch battery life analysis
• Resident Evil 7 isn't coming to Nintendo Switch
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Hyrule is bigger than Skyrim
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild has an awesome physics engine
• Switch's 4310mAh battery takes 3 hours to fully recharge
• Could the Nintendo Switch's hit full potential and boost CPU/GPU power via NVIDIA's cloud servers
• Nintendo Switch will have 'steady pacing of content'
• Switch is all about 'playing games anywhere with anyone'
• Nintendo Switch will have 'steady pacing of content'
• Putting Nintendo Switch launch games into perspective
• Stock Nintendo Switch JoyConGrip won't recharge JoyCons
• The new Zelda game takes up nearly half Switch's storage
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild runs at 900p 30FPS docked, 720p 30FPS undocked
• Nintendo Switch supports 2TB Micro SDXC cards
• Nintendo Switch online chat requires smartphone app
• Here's why Nintendo Switch doesn't come with any games
• Nintendo will soon charging gamers to play online multiplayer via subscription service
• Nintendo Switch UI revealed, let's take a closer look
• Nintendo Switch touchscreen has haptic feedback tech
• Nintendo stock drops after Switch unveil event
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch runs at 1080p when docked
• Nintendo Switch hardware specs revealed
• Nintendo Switch costs $299, coming March 3
• Nintendo Switch battery life is 2.5 hours to 6 hours
• New Mario: Odyssey game won't be Nintendo Switch launch title
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild is Switch launch game