Nintendo Switch Update Closes Popular Game Sharing Loophole

Nintendo has released a new system update for the Nintendo Switch, introducing innovative features like Virtual Game Cards in anticipation of the Switch 2 launch. This update, however, has ended a popular method for playing the same digital game online across two different Switch consoles simultaneously.

As reported by Eurogamer, Switch users were previously able to use the primary console to access a game online while the game's owner was logged into another Switch. This convenient loophole has been closed with the implementation of the Virtual Game Cards system.

Despite this change, users have found that it's still possible to play a single digital game copy offline. By navigating to your profile's user settings and enabling the Online Licenses option, you can play a digital game without the Virtual Game Card as long as it's not in use elsewhere or if the playing Switch is offline. The setting description reads:

"If this option is enabled, purchased digital software will be playable while the console is connected to the internet, even when the virtual game card for that software isn't loaded to the console. However, when using an online licence, only the user signed into the Nintendo Account that was used to purchase the software will be able to play it; it will not be playable for other users on the console. Your virtual game cards can be used to play software regardless of this setting. Online licences cannot be used on multiple consoles at the same time. The online licence and virtual game card for a software title cannot be used at the same time."

This means that if one Switch is offline, you can still enjoy the same game across two Switches at the same time. Eurogamer has confirmed this workaround through testing. The significant change is that the ability to play the same game online simultaneously on different consoles has been eliminated.

The gaming community has expressed dissatisfaction with this change. On forums like ResetEra and Reddit, users lament the disruption to their previous game-sharing setups, particularly the loss of simultaneous online play. This is especially frustrating for families and groups who enjoyed playing games such as Splatoon or Minecraft together. The new system could potentially double the cost of games for families with multiple children wanting to play together, as they will now need to purchase additional copies.

This update comes just over a month before the launch of the Switch 2, which will incorporate the same system. The Switch 2 will also introduce Game-Key Cards, where certain games will not have the full game on the cartridge and will require an additional online download.