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Nintendo Switch 2 has one major downgrade, fans complain

Home> News> Platform> Nintendo

Published 11:48 1 May 2025 GMT+1

Nintendo Switch 2 has one major downgrade, fans complain

This update has gone down like a lead balloon

Angharad Redden

Angharad Redden

The latest system update for the Nintendo Switch is not being received well by fans and it is easy to see why.

Despite the Nintendo Switch 2 being on the way, Nintendo is still rolling out the updates for its previous model.

Find out more about the Virtual Game Card below!

However, its latest system update has left fans feeling unhappy as it makes it no longer possible to play the same digital game online across two systems at the same time.

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Before this update, Nintendo Switch users were able to run digital games across both a primary and secondary console, allowing more freedom if, say, you use both a personal Switch and that of a spouse.

However, due to the introduction of the Virtual Game Cards system, this is no longer possible as digital games are now treated the same way as physical cartridges - in other words, they can only be used on one console at a time.

That being said, there is still a slight loophole as Switch users can access a single copy of a digital game if they are playing offline.

This option is accessed in the Switch’s User Settings under the Online Licenses tab.

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This means that you will be able to access digital games even without the Virtual Game Card.

"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," the Online Licenses instructions read.

"However, when using an online licence, 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 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."

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Despite this, fans are still unhappy with this change and took to social media to share their thoughts.

"So Virtual Game Cards are a downgrade," commented one user over on ResetEra.

Another added, “That f**king sucks man, my brother and I game share our library.”

It is not a popular update to say the least and hopefully this will be rectified in some way ahead of the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Featured Image Credit: Nintendo

Topics: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo, Nintendo Switch 2

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