Nintendo has rolled out the latest system update for the Nintendo Switch, introducing the innovative Virtual Game Cards system just ahead of the much-anticipated launch of the Switch 2. This update, however, has closed a previously exploited method for playing the same digital game online across two different systems simultaneously.

As reported by Eurogamer, Nintendo Switch users were once able to utilize the primary console to launch a game and enjoy it online, while the game's owner could simultaneously log in and play on another Switch. This loophole, much to the dismay of many, has been sealed with the introduction of the Virtual Game Cards system.

However, there's a silver lining for those looking to share games. Users have discovered that you can still play a single copy of a digital game by going offline. By navigating to your profile's user settings and enabling the Online Licenses option, you can play your digital game without needing the Virtual Game Card, provided it's not being played elsewhere 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 at the same time. Eurogamer has tested and confirmed that this workaround functions as described. The significant change is that the loophole for playing the same game online simultaneously on two different consoles appears to be definitively closed.

The gaming community, especially on forums like ResetEra and Reddit, has expressed frustration over this change. The ability to play online at the same time was cherished by many, particularly for family gaming sessions with titles like Splatoon or Minecraft. Users have pointed out that this could double the cost of purchasing games for families with multiple children wanting to play together, as they will now need to buy additional copies of games to maintain their previous play setups.

This update comes just over a month before the launch of the Switch 2, which will also employ the Virtual Game Cards system. Additionally, the Switch 2 will use Game-Key Cards, meaning that a significant number of games will not have the full game content on the cartridge itself and will require an online download to play.