Nintendo Switch Update Closes Popular Game Sharing Loophole

May 25,25

Nintendo has released a new system update for the Nintendo Switch, introducing the innovative Virtual Game Cards system in anticipation of the upcoming Switch 2 launch. This update, however, has put an end to a popular method of playing the same digital game online simultaneously across two systems.

As reported by Eurogamer, Switch owners could previously exploit a loophole where the primary console user could launch a game and play it online, while the game owner was logged in on another Switch. The introduction of the Virtual Game Cards system has effectively closed this loophole.

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However, users have found a workaround. By setting a Switch to offline mode, you can still play a single copy of a digital game across two consoles. 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 Virtual Game Card, provided it's not being used elsewhere or if the Switch playing it is 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 Switch is offline, you can still enjoy the same game simultaneously on two Switches. Eurogamer has confirmed that this method works. The significant shift is that the loophole for playing the same game online at the same time is now closed.

The gaming community has expressed dissatisfaction with this change, with users on platforms like ResetEra and Reddit voicing their frustration over the loss of their previous game-sharing arrangements. The inability to play online at the same time has particularly irked players, especially those who enjoyed playing games like Splatoon or Minecraft together as a family or group.

For families, this update could mean doubling the cost of games if multiple children wish to play together on their own Switches. This change, while closing a loophole, was a valuable one for many, and it's no surprise to see frustration with the new system.

This update comes just over a month before the launch of the Switch 2, which will implement the same Virtual Game Cards system. Additionally, the Switch 2 will use Game-Key Cards, meaning some games will not have the full game on the cartridge and will require an online download to be playable.

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