Nintendo Switch Update Closes Popular Game Sharing Loophole

Nintendo Switch users, take note: the latest system update has introduced the Virtual Game Cards system, a new feature that's set to roll out with the upcoming Switch 2. While this update paves the way for future innovations, it also means the end of a popular workaround for playing the same digital game online across two systems simultaneously.

As Eurogamer pointed out, before this update, you could launch a game on your primary console and play it online, while another person logged into your account on a different Switch could play the same game at the same time. However, the introduction of Virtual Game Cards has closed this loophole.

There's a silver lining though: you can still play a single digital copy of a game by going offline. By navigating to your profile's user settings and enabling the Online Licenses option, you can play your digital games without the need for a Virtual Game Card. This works as long as the game isn't being played on another console, or if the console 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 of your Switches is offline, you can still enjoy the same game on another Switch at the same time. Eurogamer has confirmed this workaround still functions. The significant change here is the inability to exploit the previous loophole for online play.

The gaming community, particularly on forums like ResetEra and Reddit, has expressed dissatisfaction with this change. The loss of the ability to play the same game online simultaneously has irked many, especially those who enjoyed family gaming sessions with titles like Splatoon or Minecraft. For families, this adjustment could mean doubling up on game purchases, significantly increasing costs if multiple children want to play together.

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