Nintendo has recently rolled out a new system update for the Nintendo Switch, introducing the Virtual Game Cards system in anticipation of the upcoming Switch 2 launch. This update, however, has put an end to a popular method that allowed players to enjoy the same digital game online across two different Switch consoles simultaneously.
As highlighted by Eurogamer, prior to this update, Switch users could leverage the primary console to launch a game and play it online, while the game's owner was logged into another Switch. This convenient workaround has now been eliminated with the introduction of the Virtual Game Cards system.
Despite this change, users have discovered a workaround to play a single copy of a digital game by going offline. By navigating to your profile's user settings and enabling the Online Licenses option, you can still play a digital game without the Virtual Game Card, provided it's not being played elsewhere or the Switch playing it is set to offline mode. 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 across two Switches at the same time. Eurogamer has tested and confirmed that this system functions as described. The significant change is that the loophole allowing simultaneous online play across two consoles has been closed.
The gaming community has expressed dissatisfaction with this change, with users on platforms like ResetEra and Reddit voicing their frustration over the disruption to their previous game-sharing setups. The loss of the ability to play online simultaneously is particularly irksome, as many users enjoyed playing games like Splatoon or Minecraft with family or friends.
For families, this update could mean doubling the cost of games if multiple children want to play the same Switch game together. Families that used to play together will now need to purchase additional copies. While this update closes a loophole, it was a beneficial one for many, and it's understandable that users are already expressing frustration with the new system.
This update comes just over a month before the launch of the Switch 2, which will also implement the same Virtual Game Cards system. Additionally, the Switch 2 will introduce Game-Key Cards, where certain games will not have the full game on the cartridge and will require an online download to play.
