Nintendo Switch Update Closes Popular Game Sharing Loophole

The latest system update for the Nintendo Switch introduces the Virtual Game Cards system, a key feature ahead of the upcoming Switch 2 launch. This update, however, has eliminated a popular workaround that allowed users to play the same digital game online simultaneously on two different Switch consoles.

Previously, as reported by Eurogamer, Switch owners could launch a game on their primary console and play it online with another person logged into the same account on a different Switch. The new Virtual Game Cards system has closed this loophole, much to the dismay of many users.

Despite this change, there's still a way to play a single digital copy of a game across two Switch consoles. Users can do this by going offline. By navigating to the user settings and enabling the Online Licenses option, players can access a digital game without needing the Virtual Game Card, provided the game isn't being used elsewhere or the other Switch is set to offline mode. The setting description states:

"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 play the same game on another Switch simultaneously. Eurogamer has confirmed that this method works, though the major change is that playing the same game online at the same time is no longer possible.

The reaction from the gaming community has been largely negative. On forums like ResetEra and Reddit, users have expressed frustration over the changes, particularly because it affects their ability to play games like Splatoon or Minecraft online together as a family or group. For families with multiple children wanting to play the same game, this update essentially doubles the cost of game purchases, as they will need to buy additional copies to play together.

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 use Game-Key Cards, where certain games will not be fully contained on the cartridge and will require an online download to play.