Let's be honest, does anyone remember their Nintendo Switch friend code? Between my ATM pin, my social security number, and my local coffee shop's WiFi password, I'm lucky I can even remember my birthday. Thankfully, for the more social of us Switch players, there's Nin.Codes-- a website that shortens your Nintendo Switch friend code into a short, bite-sized hyperlink.
Started by software engineer Jimmy Roland, Nin.Codes attempts to palliate the guaranteed headache of trying to play Switch online with your friends. Using Nin.Codes is simple-- you simply go to the Nin.Codes website, type in your Nintendo Switch friend code, and create your desired short link. After completing this process, you can simply give others your pithy, easily remembered Nin.Codes URL rather than manically digging through your Notes app to find your friend code.
Nin.Codes isn't the only fan-operated website helping Switch players find one another. Yesterday, DualShockers reported on Switcher, a fan-made site from Reddit user u/bezzaton that allows Nintendo Switch players to easily find other folks to play with. Switcher matches players with one another based on their respective game libraries and includes options to find others for local co-op as well as online play. In addition to showing others your Nintendo friend code, Switcher gives players the opportunity to share their Discord handles as well for easy communication.
While Both Switcher and Nin.Codes seem to be as endearing as their presence is frustrating; they're both wonderful solutions (made by wonderful fans) for a problem that shouldn't exist in the first place. In the past, I've expressed how the Nintendo Switch Online service often feels like a cruel paradox. Nintendo seems to simultaneously understand and misunderstand the current online landscape; it consistently releases new content for its flagship titles while not offering sensible options for online messaging or voice communication.
Until Nintendo gets its virtual ducks in a row, we're left with these brilliant fan-created solutions. Now if you'll please excuse me, I'm going to turn off my computer and play Mario Tennis Aces online for the rest of the day.