By Nintendo has recently launched its new Steam Families-like feature on Switch 1, enabling users within your Nintendo Account family group to borrow digital games for a maximum of two weeks. However, not all users are pleased with the latest system update, particularly regarding the alterations it brings to game sharing capabilities.
This update should not be confused with the local wireless GameShare option (which is currently unavailable until the release of Switch 2), while the Virtual Game Cards system allows greater flexibility to transfer digital games between different consoles, mimicking the freedom provided by a physical game cartridge. This feature can be used to freely shift games between two different systems linked to the same Nintendo Account, and also to temporarily let family members borrow them from you.
However, certain limitations are enforced: when someone is borrowing your game, you are unable to play it yourself; one individual can only borrow a maximum of one game from you at any given time; and you cannot lend out more than three games simultaneously.
This first limitation appears to cause issues for users who have relied on a different approach to share digital games until now.
As pointed out on Reddit, until recently, a page from Nintendo’s official Customer Support outlined how players could concurrently play the same digital game across two different consoles.
Although it’s somewhat intricate, picture two roommates who own two Switch consoles. The first roommate has Splatoon 3, and for both to enjoy that single copy simultaneously, they link their Nintendo Account to the second roommate’s Switch console, which must then be designated as the first roommate’s “primary console.”
Once that’s done, ensuring Splatoon 3 is downloaded, both players can engage in the game online at the same time from their individual accounts. The entire process hinges on confirming that the individual who didn’t originally own the game is assigned as the “primary console” owner.
It may sound like a workaround, yet it’s clearly not, as Nintendo explicitly provided guidelines on how to achieve it. However, since April 24, when the page was last archived by the Wayback Machine, this section has been removed, replaced by instructions on lending out Virtual Game Cards. Moreover, players have mentioned that the previous method no longer functions as it used to.
“It operates similarly, but we can’t use the same game concurrently anymore,” reported one user, detailing they had always used that method to share games with their sister. “We can play different games simultaneously.”
“Just yesterday I was able to play a game with my husband. Today we can’t play it together,” voiced another user. “And adding kids to the mix? This creates a logistical nightmare that’s completely unnecessary.”
Others have indicated that there remains a workaround if you’re inclined to play offline, with one claiming: “I just tested it. It still works if the primary console is in airplane mode (or entirely disconnected from the internet). However, playing online simultaneously with the same software is no longer feasible.”
This means anyone looking to enjoy a game like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe online together may find themselves out of luck.
Considering this was a function that was officially endorsed previously, it remains uncertain if this is a mistake, but if it is, it’s unusual that Nintendo has stopped providing guidance on how to proceed.
The Switch 2 is on the horizon – don’t forget to explore our compilation of upcoming Switch 2 titles to see what’s anticipated for Nintendo’s next console.