Nintendo Switch Update Mostly Shuts Off a Well-Liked Loophole For Game Sharing

The latest Nintendo Switch system update has introduced the Virtual Game Cards system, paving the way for the upcoming Switch 2 launch. This update, however, has closed a popular loophole that allowed users to play the same digital game online across two different Switch consoles simultaneously.

As Eurogamer reported, users could previously start a game on their primary console and play it online, while another user, logged into the same Nintendo account on a different Switch, could join in. This practice is no longer possible with the new Virtual Game Cards system in place.

Despite the change, users have found a workaround to still play a single copy of a digital game on two Switches. By going offline on one of the consoles, players can access the game through the Online Licenses option found in the user's profile settings. The setting description states:

"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 Switch is set to offline mode, you can still play the same game at the same time on two different Switches. Eurogamer has tested and confirmed that this method works effectively. The key change here is that playing the same game online simultaneously on two consoles is no longer an option.

The gaming community, particularly on platforms like ResetEra and Reddit, has expressed frustration over this change. Many users are disappointed as their previous game sharing setups are now disrupted. The inability to play online at the same time is a significant concern, especially for families or groups who enjoyed playing games like Splatoon or Minecraft together.

For families, this change means potentially doubling the cost of games if multiple children wish to play together on their own Switches. While this update closes a loophole, it was a beneficial one for many users, leading to understandable frustration with the new system.

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 use Game-Key Cards, where some games will require an online download to play, as the full game won't be included on the physical cartridge.