Nintendo Network ID (NNID) Issues (Complaint)

Huntsman06 · 05-16-2014, 02:56 AM

I'm rather annoyed with Nintendo right now. I have roughly $30 in my E-Shop account and I decided that I would like to purchase Castlevania Lords of Shadow Mirror of Fate. When attempting to access this game on the E-shop, I am surprised to find that I am unable to view the information due to my current NNID's age being below 17. Why is it somehow below 17? I have no idea as I'm plenty over 17.

Now my issue, and from what I understand it cannot be fixed, is that there is no way aside from formatting my 3DS that will unlink (not delete!) my NNID from my 3DS. I'd consider formatting, however, I have 3 games (Mario 3D Land, Pokemon Y, & Zelda link Between Worlds) that are currently linked to that NNID and cannot be re-downloaded unless that NNID is linked to the 3DS. So formatting to unlink, then re-linking, would accomplish nothing aside from deleting my save file. I've even read cases of people calling Nintendo and them not changing the account information. (Fun Fact: You can change the gender signed to a NNID, so either Nintendo expects this new person of the opposite gender to be the identical age of the previous user, or they are only taking in consideration anybody who undergoes a sex change.)

Now the stupid part in all of this, is there are parental controls that are capable of blocking content up to any rating, you can even restrict C rating (which is 3+) from being playable. Why we even have parental controls if a NNID will just overrule them, I do not know.

If you have not set up a NNID for your 3DS, I strongly recommend you make sure that (if you choose to) you double check that you're age is correct otherwise you will find yourself having troubles should you ever want to download software that nintendo thinks inappropriate for your chosen age.

Only minor stroke of luck in my case is that, according to my NNID's setting menu, the age will reach 17 in the next few months. Whether or not Nintendo gets my $30 at that time will be another story, however.

grahamf · 05-16-2014, 03:08 AM

You will have to call nintendo and possibly provide proof of your current age to set your NNID to your correct age.

I am sincerely sorry that you are having your problem; but as a rule of thumb whenever money is or is possibly involved, never lie and ensure you filled out forms correctly.

DarkK · 05-16-2014, 09:28 AM

My friend used his actual age (15 years old) for his NNID, and then found himself frustrated over the fact that he was not able to get the latest Ace Attorney game, because it was rated M.

He had to choose either keeping Mario 3D Land (since it came pre-installed with the system) and waiting 2 years to get AA5 or format his console and create a new ID. All I've got to say is, he doesn't miss that crappy Mario game at all.

Disco · 05-19-2014, 02:49 AM

While I do agree that the NNID situation is rather bizarre and prehistoric, this sounds like human error and should not be blamed on Nintendo. You can definitely just call them and explain the situation, request it to be fixed, and see results in a day or two.

It's a lot easier to resolve this kind of problem by contacting the source directly instead of just complaining about it.

The NNID, especially on 3DS, has a lot of issues, but setting the wrong birth date on your profile is not one of them.