Nintendo Switch Update Closes Popular Game Sharing Loophole

Nintendo has released a new system update for the Nintendo Switch, introducing the Virtual Game Cards system just ahead of the Switch 2 launch. This update has notably closed a popular loophole that allowed users to play the same digital game online simultaneously across two different Switch consoles.

As reported by Eurogamer, players used to be able to start a game on their primary console and play it online while another user, logged into the same account on a secondary Switch, joined in. With the introduction of the Virtual Game Cards system, this method is no longer viable.

However, users have found a workaround: by going offline. You can navigate to your profile's user settings and enable the Online Licenses option. This allows you to play a digital game without the need for a Virtual Game Card, provided it's not being played elsewhere or if the playing Switch is set 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."

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

The community's reaction has been largely negative, with many expressing frustration on platforms like ResetEra and Reddit. The removal of the ability to play online together has particularly affected families and groups who enjoyed games like Splatoon or Minecraft together. This change means that families might need to purchase multiple copies of games, significantly increasing costs for households with multiple children who want to play the same game on different Switches.

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, where certain games will not have the full game on the cartridge and will require an online download to complete the installation.