Nintendo Switch Update Closes Popular Game Sharing Loophole

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

As highlighted by Eurogamer, prior to this update, a primary console could run a game online while the game's owner was logged into another Switch. This practice is no longer possible with the introduction of the Virtual Game Cards system.

However, users have discovered a workaround to continue playing a single copy of a digital game by going offline. By navigating to the user settings and enabling the "Online Licenses" option, you can play a digital game without the Virtual Game Card, provided it's not being played elsewhere or if the playing Switch is offline. 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."

This means that if one Switch is offline, you can still enjoy the same game simultaneously on two different Switches. Eurogamer has confirmed that this method works effectively. The major shift here is that the ability to play the same game online at the same time is no longer an option.

The gaming community has expressed dissatisfaction with this change, with users on platforms like ResetEra and Reddit voicing their frustrations over the altered game-sharing setups. The loss of the ability to play online together has been a particular sore point, especially for families and groups who enjoyed playing games like Splatoon or Minecraft together. This change could potentially double the cost for families with multiple children wanting to play the same Switch game, as they will need to purchase additional copies.

This update comes just over a month before the launch of the Switch 2, which will also implement the same Virtual Game Cards system. Additionally, the Switch 2 will introduce Game-Key Cards, where certain games will require an online download to access the full game, as the entire game won't be contained on the cartridge itself.