Nintendo’s latest system update, version 20.0.0, rolled out on April 29, 2025, and immediately set off a wave of frustration in the gaming community by shutting down digital game-sharing for online play. Now, families with multiple Switch consoles have to buy separate copies of each game—ouch, right? Sure, there’s a new Virtual Game Card gimmick, but it only helps a little and mostly for local play. Curious how this decision impacts your next Mario Kart night? Stick around—there’s more to the story.
Even the most loyal Nintendo fans know that an update isn’t always good news—especially when it closes a favorite loophole. With the release of system update 20.0.0 on April 29, 2025, Nintendo has shut down the long-cherished ability to share digital games across multiple Switch consoles for online play.
For families who have gotten used to buying a game once and playing together online, it’s a bit like finding out your favorite shortcut in Mario Kart has been walled off. Now, each system will need its own copy if players want to join an online match—a move that’s ruffled plenty of feathers across forums like Reddit and ResetEra. Nintendo’s latest update closes the game-sharing loophole for online play, meaning each console now requires its own digital copy for multiplayer access.
The community’s reaction? Not exactly applause. Many families say this change will double or triple their game expenses, especially with kids each wanting their own Switch. After all, who wants to explain to a sibling that they can’t play Splatoon 3 together online without coughing up for another copy? The update also introduces new features such as the ability to transfer save data in bulk using the “Transfer Your Save Data” menu.
Nintendo’s response comes with the introduction of Virtual Game Cards, a new digital feature that lets users “eject” and “insert” games between Switch systems, just like swapping physical cartridges—except, you know, virtually. Handy for lending, since you can share a game within your Nintendo Account family group for up to two weeks.
But let’s be honest: it doesn’t solve the main issue. Virtual Game Cards don’t allow online play on both systems at the same time, so families hoping for some Mario Kart action together are still out of luck.
The update also teases GameShare, a feature set to arrive with Switch 2 in June, letting certain games be shared locally, but only through a local wireless connection. That’s great if everyone’s in the same room, but not much help if you’re playing from different bedrooms.
It’s not the first time a company has clamped down on game-sharing, and Nintendo’s move does bring them in line with how physical games work.
Still, for fans, it stings—especially when “buying twice” feels less like fun and more like business as usual.