Nintendo has rolled out a significant system update for the Nintendo Switch, introducing the new Virtual Game Cards feature, a precursor to the upcoming Switch 2 launch. This update, however, has put an end to a popular method that allowed users to play the same digital game online across two different Switch consoles simultaneously.
As highlighted by Eurogamer, Switch owners previously exploited a loophole where the primary console could access a game online, while the game's owner was logged into another Switch. The introduction of Virtual Game Cards has effectively closed this loophole.
Despite this change, users have discovered a workaround. By toggling the Online Licenses option in the user settings and going offline, you can still play a single copy of a digital game across two Switches, provided the game isn't being played elsewhere or the Switch is set offline. Here's how the setting is described:
"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 two different Switches. Eurogamer has confirmed the effectiveness of this method. The key change here is the inability to play the same game online at the same time on multiple consoles, a feature that has now been removed.
The gaming community, particularly on platforms like ResetEra and Reddit, has expressed frustration over this change. Many users are upset that their previous game-sharing setups no longer work as they did. The loss of the ability to play online simultaneously is a significant point of contention, especially for families and groups who enjoyed playing games like Splatoon or Minecraft together.
For families, this update could mean doubling the cost of games if multiple children want to play the same Switch game together. This change forces families to purchase additional copies of games, effectively closing a loophole that was beneficial for many.
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 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 itself.
