Nintendo Switch Update Closes Popular Game Sharing Loophole

The latest Nintendo Switch system update has rolled out, bringing with it the introduction of Virtual Game Cards in preparation for the upcoming Switch 2 launch. This update, however, has closed a previously exploited method that allowed players to enjoy the same digital game simultaneously on two different Switch systems online.

As highlighted by Eurogamer, Switch users could formerly launch a game on the primary console and play it online while the game's owner was logged into another Switch. Unfortunately, this loophole has now been sealed with the implementation of the Virtual Game Cards system.

Despite the change, users have found that you can still play a single copy of a digital game by switching to offline mode. By navigating to your profile's user settings and enabling the Online Licenses option, you can play a digital game without needing the Virtual Game Card, provided it isn't being played elsewhere or if the Switch playing it is set to 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 across two Switches simultaneously. Eurogamer has confirmed that this workaround functions as intended. The significant change is that the previous loophole allowing simultaneous online play on two consoles is now closed.

The gaming community has expressed dissatisfaction with this change, with users on platforms like ResetEra and Reddit voicing frustration over the disruption to their existing game-sharing setups. The inability to play online at the same time is a particular point of contention, especially for families and groups who enjoy 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. Previously cooperative families will now need to purchase additional copies. While the update technically closes a loophole, it was a beneficial one, and it's understandable that users are already expressing their frustrations with the new system.

This update comes just over a month before the launch of the Switch 2, which will also employ this system. Additionally, the Switch 2 will use Game-Key Cards, meaning that several games won't have the entire game stored on the cartridge itself and will require an online download to be fully playable.