"Nintendo Switch Update Closes Popular Game Sharing Loophole"

The latest system update for the Nintendo Switch introduces a new feature called Virtual Game Cards, marking a significant shift in how digital games are accessed and played. This update comes just ahead of the anticipated launch of the Switch 2 and brings with it several changes to game-sharing functionality—particularly affecting those who used to play the same digital title online across two different Switch systems simultaneously.

As reported by Eurogamer, prior to this update, users had the ability to log into their Nintendo Account on a secondary Switch and still play a digital game online alongside the primary console that owned the game. It was a convenient workaround for families or friends looking to share game purchases without buying multiple copies. However, with the introduction of the Virtual Game Cards system, this method has now been restricted.

Despite the change, there is still a way to enjoy a single copy of a digital game across multiple consoles—but only if one of them is offline. By enabling the “Online Licenses” option found in your profile settings, you can continue playing a purchased game even without having the Virtual Game Card loaded on the console. Here’s how Nintendo describes the setting:

"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 license, only the user signed in to 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 licenses cannot be used on multiple consoles at the same time. The online license and virtual game card for a software title cannot be used at the same time."

In practice, this means that as long as one system is offline, you can still run the same digital game on two separate Switch units. Eurogamer confirmed this method works, though the big difference now is that simultaneous online play of the same game copy is no longer possible.

This restriction has sparked frustration among fans, particularly those who relied on the previous game-sharing setup. On forums like ResetEra and Reddit, many users have expressed disappointment, especially regarding the impact on multiplayer experiences such as Splatoon or Minecraft, where families or groups of friends used to share a single copy of the game online.

For households with multiple children, this change could mean doubling the cost of future game purchases. What was once a helpful loophole is now closed, and while this update aligns with the upcoming Switch 2's architecture, it’s understandable why some players feel frustrated by the new limitations.

With less than a month before the Switch 2 launches, this update signals how digital content will be handled moving forward. The new system will also rely on Game-Key Cards, which do not contain the full game data on the cartridge itself and instead require online downloads. This marks a clear transition toward more digital-centric access methods—and away from the flexible sharing options of the past.