It's time to secure your Nintendo Account ID

Nintendo has refreshed its online account services this week, the idea being to get prepared for the launch of the Switch on March 3. This new system will implement yet another username needed called Nintendo Account ID. Many of us already have a Nintendo Network ID, but this is a different beast entirely used only in Wii U and Nintendo 3DS.

In order to get your own Nintendo Account ID ahead of the launch of the Switch, you need to log into the Nintendo Account website, and your user ID is now included under User Info section.

Choosing a username is easy, but no duplicates are allowed. This means that the faster you are, the more likely it is for you to get the user ID you desire (or something close to it). It also seems that you are able to change your ID, and a name must have at least six characters.

Nintendo has also made some other updates. You can now, for example, see your past eShop purchases. This new account is supposed to connect to its owner's other Nintendo accounts, allowing you to re-download past purchases.

In short, Nintendo is at least trying to do the same as Microsoft's Xbox Live and Sony's PlayStation Network.

Thanks, Polygon.