Nintendo has rolled out a fresh system update for the Switch, ushering in new features like Virtual Game Cards just before the anticipated launch of the Switch 2. This update, however, has shut down a popular method for playing the same digital game online across two different systems simultaneously.
As reported by Eurogamer, Switch owners could previously log into their primary console to launch a game and play it online while another user, logged into a different Switch with the same game, played alongside them. Unfortunately, the introduction of the Virtual Game Cards system has closed this loophole.
There's a silver lining, though: users have discovered that you can still play a single copy of a digital game offline. By navigating to your profile's user settings and enabling the Online Licenses option, you can access a digital game without a Virtual Game Card, provided it's not being used elsewhere or if 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 enjoy the same game on two Switches at the same time. Eurogamer has tested and confirmed that this workaround functions as described. The significant change is that the ability to play the same game online simultaneously on two consoles is no longer possible.
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 arrangements. The loss of the ability to play online together is particularly irksome, as many 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. Households that once played 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 their discontent with the new system.
This update comes just over a month before the launch of the Switch 2, which will also implement the same system. Additionally, the Switch 2 will introduce Game-Key Cards, meaning that a significant number of games will not have the full game on the cartridge and will require an online download to play.
