Nintendo has 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 closed a previously exploited method for playing the same digital game online across two systems simultaneously.
As highlighted by Eurogamer, Switch users were able to use the primary console to play a game online, while the owner of the game could be logged into another Switch to play it at the same time. This loophole has now been closed with the introduction of the Virtual Game Cards system.
Despite this change, users have found 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 play a digital game without the Virtual Game Card, provided it's not being played elsewhere or if the Switch playing it is offline. The setting description states:
"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 across two Switches simultaneously. Eurogamer has confirmed that this workaround functions as intended. The key change is that the ability to play the same game online at the same time has been eliminated.
The gaming community, particularly on forums like ResetEra and Reddit, has expressed frustration over this change. The loss of the ability to play online simultaneously is a significant point of contention, especially for families and groups who enjoyed games like Splatoon or Minecraft together. This update means that families with multiple children wanting to play the same game together might need to purchase additional copies, effectively doubling their costs.
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 use Game-Key Cards, where some games will not have the full physical game on the cartridge, requiring an online download to play.
