Nintendo has rolled out a significant system update for the Nintendo Switch, introducing a new feature called Virtual Game Cards just ahead of the Switch 2 launch. This update, however, has closed a popular loophole that allowed users to play the same digital game online simultaneously across two different Switch systems.

As reported by Eurogamer, Switch owners could previously use the primary console to play a game online while the game's owner was logged into another Switch. With the introduction of the Virtual Game Cards system, this practice is no longer possible. However, users have discovered a workaround to 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 the Virtual Game Card, provided it isn't being played on another console 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 across two Switches simultaneously. Eurogamer has tested and confirmed that this system works as described. The primary change is that playing the same game online at the same time across multiple consoles is no longer an option.

The community response has been largely negative, with fans expressing their frustrations on platforms like ResetEra and Reddit. Many are upset that their previous game-sharing setups will no longer function as they did. The ability to play online simultaneously was particularly cherished for games like Splatoon or Minecraft, especially among families and groups.

For families, this change means potentially doubling the cost of purchasing games, as multiple children wishing to play together on different Switches will now need their own copies. While this update closes a loophole, it was a loophole that many found useful, and the backlash is understandable.

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 introduce Game-Key Cards, where certain games will not have the full game on the cartridge and will require an online download to play.