Nintendo Switch Update Closes Popular Game Sharing Loophole

Nintendo has rolled out the latest system update for the Nintendo Switch, bringing in new features like Virtual Game Cards just ahead of the Switch 2 launch. This update, however, has put an end to a popular workaround that allowed users to play the same digital game online simultaneously across two different Switch consoles.

As reported by Eurogamer, prior to this update, Switch users could launch a game on their primary console and enjoy it online, while another user logged into the same account on a secondary console could also play the game at the same time. With the introduction of the Virtual Game Cards system, this loophole has been effectively closed.

However, there's still a way to play a single copy of a digital game across two Switches. Users have discovered that by going offline, they can still access the game. 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, as long as it's not being played on another console or if the console playing it is offline. The setting description is as follows:

"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 simultaneously across two Switches. Eurogamer has tested this and confirmed that the system functions as described. The significant change here is that playing the same game online at the same time is no longer possible due to the closure of the previous loophole.

The gaming community has expressed dissatisfaction with this change, with many users on platforms like ResetEra and Reddit voicing their frustration. The loss of the ability to play games online simultaneously has been particularly disappointing for those who enjoyed playing games like Splatoon or Minecraft as a family or group.

For families, this means potentially doubling the cost of games, as multiple copies will need to be purchased for each child wanting to play on a Switch. While this update closes a loophole, it was a beneficial one for many, and it's understandable that users are upset about the new system.

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, meaning some games will require an online download to play, as the entire game won't be stored on the cartridge itself.