Nintendo Switch Update Mostly Shuts Off a Well-Liked Loophole For Game Sharing

The latest Nintendo Switch system update is out, introducing new systems like the Virtual Game Cards ahead of the launch of Switch 2. Implementing that has closed off a method for playing the same digital game online across two systems at the same time, though.

As noted by Eurogamer, Switch users could previously use the primary console to pull up a game and play it online, alongside the owner of said game logged in on another Switch. This loophole has been closed off with the new Virtual Game Cards system.

Users are reporting that you can still play a single copy of a digital game by going offline, though. By going to your profile's user settings and turning on the Online Licenses option, you can play a digital game even if you don't have the Virtual Game Card, so long as it isn't being played somewhere else, or as long as the Switch playing it is set offline. Here's the text for the setting:

"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 int to 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."

Essentially, if one Switch is offline in some way, you can still play the same game at the same time across two Switches. Eurogamer tested this and verified the system works. The big change is that, if you want to play the same game online at the same time, that loophole appears to be closed.

Fans aren't too keen on the change, as users across forums like ResetEra and Reddit are frustrated that their previous game sharing set-ups aren't going to work the same. Specifically, the ability to play online at the same time is a gripe, as people mention playing games like Splatoon or Minecraft as a family or group.

Users note that for families, this would double the cost of picking up games moving forward if they have multiple kids that want to play a Switch game together. Families that previously played together will have to buy more copies. While it's essentially closing a loophole, it was a useful loophole, and it's not surprising to see people frustrated with the new system already.

This all arrives just over a month out from the launch of the Switch 2, which will utilize the same system. It's also going to use Game-Key Cards, meaning certain games — a decent number of them, actually — will not have the entire physical game on the Switch 2 cartridge, and will require an online download.

Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.