Nintendo Switch users warned as official advice could actually result in loss of game

After liaising with Nintendo Support, one Nintendo Switch user has issued a warning, revealing that an official piece of advice could inadvertently lead to permanent loss of a game.

As you’re likely aware, Nintendo now makes use of Virtual Game Cards which is essentially where the Switch and Switch 2’s game management system treats your digital games like physical cartridges.

With your Virtual Game Cards, it’s possible to disable the downloading of additional DLC for those who want to save storage or perhaps already have a physical copy installed of the DLC.

How to disable automatic DLC downloads on Nintendo Switch / Switch 2

As per Nintendo’s website, to disable DLC, users are instructed to highlight the relevant game from the HOME menu and press the + button.

They should then select Manage Software and Delete Software. This will delete the game but keep save data.

You then need to navigate to the DLC you don’t want on the Nintendo eShop and press the + or - button five times; a message will display saying, “This product is currently set to not be downloaded.”

Next, redownload your base game via the virtual game card menu and it’ll download without any of the DLCs you disabled.

To reverse the change, you simply head back to the eShop and press + or - again five times to re-enable the DLC.

Sounds simple and handy, right? Well, Reddit user gibbersganfa has unearthed a very unfortunate loophole.

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Disabling DLCs could result in permanent loss if titles are delisted

They completed this exact process and later decided to redownload a certain DLC. They headed to the eShop to do so but found that the DLC had been delisted.

DLCs are not, it turns out, stored in your library.

“But what happens if that content is delisted in the meantime, and the eShop listing is removed? With the eShop listing removed, you can no longer go to the listing and press +/- to re-enable the download,” they wrote.

“Turns out, after talking to Nintendo's support today, there is no solution on Nintendo's end for this oversight.”

They continued, “Usually, you're able to redownload any content that's been delisted as long as the virtual game card remains in your library [...].

“But if you use Nintendo's own recommended method for setting content not to redownload for DLC or games ... if the listing is taken fully down because the publisher decided to pull the game or DLC from the eShop in the interim, you're boned.”

The small positive in all of this is that Nintendo support staff issued the OP with the relevant funds needed in their account to make up for the lost purchase; sadly, they can’t rebuy the DLC because of its delisting.

As they note though, “That still doesn't really resolve the oversight in the system that could affect someone else down the line.”

“With all the recent news of some publishers and platforms stopping physical releases or pulling digital content, this was a pretty stark reminder that even Nintendo hasn't thought through all the possible outcomes of their own digital system and you can lose your purchases just by following their own recommendations,” they concluded.

Gamers are thankful for the warning.

“Oh wow. I had no idea this could happen. Thanks so much for the intel. Will definitely keep this in mind if the inevitable happens,” replied Juliko1993.

“Another shining example of how physical is important. Thanks for sharing,” danmanx added.

So be careful when you disable those eShop downloads.