Nintendo has rolled out a new system update for the Nintendo Switch, introducing the Virtual Game Cards feature just ahead of the much-anticipated Switch 2 launch. However, this update has put an end to a popular method that allowed users to play the same digital game online simultaneously on two different Switch systems.
As reported by Eurogamer, before this update, Switch owners could leverage their primary console to play a game online, while another person logged into their account on a secondary Switch could also play the game online at the same time. This convenient loophole has now been closed with the introduction of the Virtual Game Cards system.
Despite the new restrictions, there is still a workaround for playing a single copy of a digital game across two Switches. Users have found that by going offline, they can still access the game. By navigating to their profile's user settings and enabling the Online Licenses option, players can enjoy their digital games without needing the Virtual Game Card, as long as the game isn't being used elsewhere or the Switch in use is offline. 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 Switch is offline, you can still play the same game simultaneously on another Switch. Eurogamer has confirmed that this workaround is effective. The major change 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 users on forums such as ResetEra and Reddit voicing their frustration over the disruption to their game-sharing setups. The loss of the ability to play online at the same time is a particular point of contention, especially for families and groups who enjoyed playing games like Splatoon or Minecraft together.
For families, this could mean doubling the cost of purchasing games if multiple children want to play the same Switch game simultaneously. This update essentially closes what was a beneficial loophole, leading to understandable frustration among users.
This update comes just over a month before the launch of the Switch 2, which will incorporate the same system. Additionally, the Switch 2 will introduce Game-Key Cards, where certain games will require an online download to play, as the entire game won't be stored on the cartridge.
