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 upcoming Switch 2 launch. However, this update has ended a popular method for playing the same digital game simultaneously on two different systems online.

As highlighted by Eurogamer, before this update, Switch users could exploit a loophole by using the primary console to launch a game and play it online, while the game's owner could also play on a secondary Switch. Unfortunately, this loophole has now been closed with the introduction of the Virtual Game Cards system.

Despite this change, users have discovered that they can still enjoy a single copy of a digital game by going offline. To do this, 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 the Virtual Game Card, provided the game isn't being played elsewhere or the Switch playing it is set to offline mode. The setting's 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 Switch is offline, you can still play the same game across two Switches simultaneously. Eurogamer has tested and confirmed that this system works. The significant change here is that the loophole for playing the same game online at the same time has been closed.

The gaming community has expressed frustration over this change. On forums like ResetEra and Reddit, users lament the loss of their previous game-sharing setups, particularly the ability to play online at the same time. Many have noted that this impacts family gaming, as games like Splatoon or Minecraft can no longer be enjoyed online simultaneously without additional purchases. This change effectively doubles the cost for families with multiple children wanting to play the same game.

This update comes just over a month before the launch of the Switch 2, which will implement the same system. The Switch 2 will also introduce Game-Key Cards, where many games will not have the full game on the cartridge, requiring an online download to complete the installation.