Nintendo Switch Update Closes Popular Game Sharing Loophole

Nintendo has rolled out the latest system update for the Nintendo Switch, introducing a new feature called Virtual Game Cards, just ahead of the eagerly anticipated launch of the Switch 2. However, this update has also put an end to a popular method for playing the same digital game online across two different systems simultaneously.

As reported by Eurogamer, before the update, Switch users could utilize the primary console to launch a game and play it online, while the game's owner was logged into another Switch. This convenient workaround has now been closed off with the introduction of the Virtual Game Cards system.

However, there's still a way to enjoy a single copy of a digital game across two consoles. By going offline, users can still play their games. You can do this by navigating to your profile's user settings and enabling the Online Licenses option. This allows you to play a digital game without the need for the Virtual Game Card, provided it isn't being played on another console or the Switch playing it is offline. Here's the detailed text for the setting:

"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."

In essence, if one of your Switches is offline, you can still play the same game on two Switches at the same time. Eurogamer has confirmed that this workaround functions as described. The key change here is that playing the same game online simultaneously on two consoles is no longer possible.

The gaming community has expressed dissatisfaction with this change. Discussions on platforms like ResetEra and Reddit show frustration among users who had set up game sharing arrangements. The loss of the ability to play online at the same time is particularly disappointing, with many mentioning games like Splatoon or Minecraft as family favorites.

For families, this update means a potential doubling of game costs, as multiple children wanting to play together will now require additional game copies. While this update closes what was technically a loophole, it was a beneficial one for many, and it's understandable that users are voicing their frustrations.

This update comes just over a month before the launch of the Switch 2, which will also implement the Virtual Game Cards system. Additionally, the Switch 2 will introduce Game-Key Cards, meaning that a significant number of games will not be fully contained on the cartridge and will require an online download to play.