Nintendo Switch’s Virtual Game Cards Reportedly Prevent Playing the Same Game Online on Two Consoles

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Following the launch of Nintendo Switch firmware update 20.0.0, users discovered that the integration of the new Virtual Play Card system restricts them from simultaneously playing the same title on two devices due to changes in the game-sharing mechanism associated with these virtual cards.

Using the latest system, gamers can add and take out Digital Play Tokens for the digital games they possess to access them. These Digital Play Tokens can also be passed on to other players, but this action temporarily prohibits the original owner from playing the game until the token is returned back.

As a gamer myself, I’ve learned a clever trick from the community on ResetEra. After receiving the recent update, Nintendo Switch users can enable the Online License option in the console settings to play DLC or downloaded games without using the Virtual Game Card. In the interim, the Switch with the Virtual Game Card can be switched offline and still play the game as normal. This little trick has been a lifesaver!

It’s important to mention that this approach primarily applies to solo games, since joining the primary Nintendo Switch online could instigate Online License verification, thereby preventing the secondary device from playing the game.

In March, Nintendo introduced a new digital game purchasing system called Virtual Game Cards, which was presented through a Direct. This innovative system allows Nintendo’s consoles to manage digital games in a novel manner. Players can now convert their digital games into these Virtual Game Cards, mimicking the behavior of physical game cards. Essentially, it appears as if you’ve inserted a Switch game cartridge into the system when using a Virtual Game Card.

With a fresh management interface on the Switch’s home screen, you can easily manage these Digital Game Cards. Users have the option to “insert” or “remove” the Digital Game Cards they choose. Additionally, users can share their Digital Game Cards with other Switch users, but only after they’ve “removed” the game from their own system. Currently, up to two Switch systems are compatible for this purpose.

Earlier, sharing games on the Nintendo Switch functioned differently; one Switch would serve as the “primary device,” allowing all linked Nintendo accounts to play any games stored on it. A second Switch, or a “secondary device,” could then be signed into to access the same titles. This setup enabled both devices to run the same game concurrently.

As a devoted fan, I’d say it seems Nintendo is aiming to revive the charm of owning and exchanging tangible game cartridges with their new Virtual Game Cards system. However, from my perspective, this innovative approach might be designed primarily to manage how games are shared between two Nintendo Switches. The Virtual Game Cards system indeed makes sharing games somewhat more regulated, yet it also introduces a level of convenience that’s hard to ignore.

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2025-04-30 14:41