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[Kataploom]

The new game loan system on Nintendo Switch is now available in the latest update of the system.

Now you can loan your games from Switch to Switch in your family group without having to log in every console.

Here the latest Switch 1 Nintendo Direct section:



Here's a video going through the feature and how it works:



They also added:

• GameShare for receiving a Nintendo Switch 2 signal
• They changed eShop colors, not sure if they did something else

More about the update here:

 

[ADiTAR]

Cool. Will finally be able to give my niece a switch with games.

 

[kevboard]

damn, that was really last minute in their "end of April" timeframe lol.

I might try it out soon... gotta ask a friend to lend me a game, just to see how this all interacts.

 

[Dacvak]

Has anyone tested this yet? I'm basically wondering if you can "reclaim" a lent game without the lendee offering it back.

In an ideal world, I have a second Switch with my main account also on it, and that second Switch can lend itself games, while my main Switch can reclaim them if I need.

It probably won't work like that, but that's the dream.

 

[Robb]

Not sure what to make of this Game Card thing..

I wish they'd have made it possible to share games online with family members. I have lots of family that don't live near me, so local-only sharing is kind of limiting.

Has anyone tested this yet? I'm basically wondering if you can "reclaim" a lent game without the lendee offering it back.

You can, but the Switch you've lent it to have to be connected. If it's in flight mode, for example, you won't be able to collect the game. I think you might also have to be within proximity of the Switch you've lent the game to.

 

[Dacvak]

Not sure what to make of this Game Card thing..

I wish they'd have made it possible to share games online with family members. I have lots of family that don't live near me, so local-only sharing is kind of limiting.


You can, but the Switch you've lent it to have to be connected. If it's in flight mode, for example, you won't be able to collect the game.

Oh interesting. Do Switches stay connected in sleep mode? Also, I wonder what happens if one of the Switches breaks while games are lent to it.

 

[Robb]

Oh interesting. Do Switches stay connected in sleep mode? Also, I wonder what happens if one of the Switches breaks while games are lent to it.

Hmm, I don't know.

In the case of one Switch breaking, the lending period is 14 days iirc so I assume the license is returned to you either way once that time has passed.

Edit:
Didn't consider moving games between your own (linked) systems, as that should be unlimited. In that case I have no idea what happens. But I guess it would make sense for you to be able to re-download all games from the eShop on either system and just accept some kind of "this game will be removed from your other Switch" prompt.

 

[caligula13]

I have 3 switches, I play only at home so I am always connected. I think this new model is not for me, it just creates more work.

 

[Spukc]

I have 3 switches, I play only at home so I am always connected. I think this new model is not for me, it just creates more work.

Correct

 

[Kataploom]

Has anyone tested this yet? I'm basically wondering if you can "reclaim" a lent game without the lendee offering it back.

In an ideal world, I have a second Switch with my main account also on it, and that second Switch can lend itself games, while my main Switch can reclaim them if I need.

It probably won't work like that, but that's the dream.

I did with my wife's Switch, she lend me Pokemon Sword and I could play it on my Switch with my own account without having to use her account, she's not even logged in there

 

[Codes 208]

Hmm, I don't know.

In the case of one Switch breaking, the lending period is 14 days iirc so I assume the license is returned to you either way once that time has passed.

Edit:
Didn't consider moving games between your own (linked) systems, as that should be unlimited. In that case I have no idea what happens. But I guess it would make sense for you to be able to re-download all games from the eShop on either system and just accept some kind of "this game will be removed from your other Switch" prompt.

Its when its sent to family designated accounts that its timed, your edit is correct, i do believe its unlimited between the same account

 

[Banjo64]

So the virtual game card menu is actually pretty handy as you no longer need to load the eShop to view and re-download software. Miles better system.

The presentation, seeing a grid of all of your cartridge arts rather than a long white white text list that takes a while to load is as it should have been from the start.

Also you can finally 'hide' your purchases via this menu. I had a 'guess the word game' that my lad had downloaded that at I've just hidden.

 

[Xcell Miguel]

I have 3 switches, I play only at home so I am always connected. I think this new model is not for me, it just creates more work.

There's an "Online license" setting that allows your account to play games you own as long as you are connected, even if the virtual game card is in one of your other Switches.

 

[HerjansEagleFeeder]

If you have to explain how to use such a simple feature to any user, you've fucked up as a toy company.

 

[Murdoch]

I have 3 switches, I play only at home so I am always connected. I think this new model is not for me, it just creates more work.

Are you the only user or do you have a family that plays on them? If it's just you, then if you change one setting in the user profile section - these changes won't affect you

If you have family members that also play on your devices can you let me know what permutations you have as this may improve things, it certainly has for me.

I can now manage my two children's separate switches and the library on each, as well as play all my games on my device unhindered.

It also allows me to manage their games on each of their devices remotely using the new web portal which doesn't appear to have been talked about yet

 

[AJUMP23]

This is Nintendo at its most benevolent and user friendly. Look at how amazing they have handled digital licenses.

 

[CuteFaceJay]

If I own more than 1 Switch 2 system will I need to loan myself my own games in order to play them on another Switch 2 system I own?

I'm only asking this because currently with Switch and Lite's I own I don't need to Faff about think about what digital games are on what system I just pick up one of them and it's all just there ready to run the software.

I have 3 switches, I play only at home so I am always connected. I think this new model is not for me, it just creates more work.

Same. I have a feeling those Nintendo content creators with like 20 diff Switch's will be pissed.

This seems like it might be a step backwards.

 

[Robb]

If I own more than 1 Switch 2 system will I need to loan myself my own games in order to play them on another Switch 2 system I own?

I'm only asking this because currently with Switch and Lite's I own I don't need to Faff about think about what digital games are on what system I just pick up one of them and it's all just there ready to run the software.

This seems like it might be a step backwards.

Yeah, I guess you can interpret it like that.

From what I've gathered the main difference is that you get rid of DRM on your second system. Today, if you link two systems with you account, only the primary system will launch the games without a DRM check-up. For the non-primary system it'll do a DRM/online check for each game.

With the Virtual Game Cards you can move the games you want to your secondary system and they'll all be fully playable offline as well, but they'll also only be available on that specific system instead of both.

It does seem more limiting to me than what we already have.

 

[caligula13]

Are you the only user or do you have a family that plays on them? If it's just you, then if you change one setting in the user profile section - these changes won't affect you

If you have family members that also play on your devices can you let me know what permutations you have as this may improve things, it certainly has for me.

I can now manage my two children's separate switches and the library on each, as well as play all my games on my device unhindered.

It also allows me to manage their games on each of their devices remotely using the new web portal which doesn't appear to have been talked about yet

right now I let my children play on my switch, with this new system I could rent the game to my son and keep my switch. but then I have to get the game back if I want to play it myself. and right now we are playing the same games, and I think this whole process of sending, downloading is too much work. easier to give my switch to my kid and then take the switch for myself.

 

[ReyBrujo]

right now I let my children play on my switch, with this new system I could rent the game to my son and keep my switch. but then I have to get the game back if I want to play it myself. and right now we are playing the same games, and I think this whole process of sending, downloading is too much work. easier to give my switch to my kid and then take the switch for myself.

Can you play the same game at the same time? As far as I knew you couldn't do that unless the game had some local multiplayer like Mario Kart.

 

[caligula13]

Can you play the same game at the same time? As far as I knew you couldn't do that unless the game had some local multiplayer like Mario Kart.

with the old system yes. I play the game on my second switch, and my kid plays the game on my primary. with the new system that doesn't work anymore.

 

[Horseganador]

So now you won't be able to play the same game online on different consoles. This is a step backwards and an anti-consumer botch by Nintendo. It's understandable that people are angry.

 

[jshackles]

This seems way too complicated to be useful

 

[ReyBrujo]

with the old system yes. I play the game on my second switch, and my kid plays the game on my primary. with the new system that doesn't work anymore.

At Reddit they say you can still do it, just the one with the primary account must be offline. You can't play both online at the same time which I didn't know you could before.

 

[Magic-DEI-Hire]

Is there any real point to virtual game cards if we're a single user with a digital library? Noticed they added an online license option in settings and would rather not need an internet connection going forward to play my digital games (the description seemed to imply this). Anyone have additional info on this?

 

[Idleyes]

n the case of one Switch breaking, the lending period is 14 days iirc so I assume the license is returned to you either way once that time has passed.

Interesting. If that's the case, I wonder, does keeping the Switch offline after the 14-day period prevent the license from being removed? Or is the removal handled locally on the console, independent of any server check? I'm certain that my thinking about it is proof Nintendo already thought about it so I'm sure it's handled on the local level. If so, would changing the date back to day one on the Switch prolong the license.

Edit: Never mind, they probably require a server check for the license each time you launch the game anyway.

 

[Codes 208]

So the virtual game card menu is actually pretty handy as you no longer need to load the eShop to view and re-download software. Miles better system.

The presentation, seeing a grid of all of your cartridge arts rather than a long white white text list that takes a while to load is as it should have been from the start.

Also you can finally 'hide' your purchases via this menu. I had a 'guess the word game' that my lad had downloaded that at I've just hidden.

Same goes for demoes, betas and trials, i forgot splatoon 2 even had an open beta

 

[Banjo64]

Same goes for demoes, betas and trials, i forgot splatoon 2 even had an open beta

Yeah got rid of that and Pac-Man 99 too as well as some DLCs for games I no long own.

 

[tr1p1ex]

New system is better for me. I didn't know you could even play the same game at the same time under the old system. And even then ...i assume you still had to make the other person's switch your primary switch which was always backwards. And I don't think you could then share with a 3rd or 4th or 8th switch unless you let them play under your account.

The 2 wk lending expire after 2 weeks. You don't have to reclaim your game. And the other person can't play it after that.

 

[mistuhcahlos]

Has anyone else explored this? Access to my games on Switch has been severely limited. I can only access my games one at a time as long as my virtual game card is loaded. In order to play a digital game on another Switch console, I have to transfer access from one Switch to another. This completely eliminates my ability to play games with my son in another state using the same digital copy. The Switches have to be physically close to each other in order for any of this to happen, which means he no longer has access to the digital games I've been purchasing since the Switch launched. I'm incredibly disappointed in Nintendo. I don't necessarily want to boycott them, but sharing and playing games online with my son has been a wonderful way to bond and that has been taken away from us with today's update.

 

[Dacvak]

Has anyone else explored this? Access to my games on Switch has been severely limited. I can only access my games one at a time as long as my virtual game card is loaded. In order to play a digital game on another Switch console, I have to transfer access from one Switch to another. This completely eliminates my ability to play games with my son in another state using the same digital copy. The Switches have to be physically close to each other in order for any of this to happen, which means he no longer has access to the digital games I've been purchasing since the Switch launched. I'm incredibly disappointed in Nintendo. I don't necessarily want to boycott them, but sharing and playing games online with my son has been a wonderful way to bond and that has been taken away from us with today's update.

I thought they had an opt-out if you wanted to keep the old method?

 

[Robb]

that has been taken away from us with today's update

You can opt out and still use the old system iirc, although I haven't tried it myself.

By navigating to User Settings → Online-License Settings and turning the setting to ON, you can instead opt to connect to the internet to start up software.

I'd be interested to hear if it works.

 

[mistuhcahlos]

You can opt out and still use the old system iirc, although I haven't tried it myself.



I'd be interested to hear if it works.

It works! For now at least. I'm going to test the online access with my son tonight.

 

[Astray]

So now you won't be able to play the same game online on different consoles. This is a step backwards and an anti-consumer botch by Nintendo. It's understandable that people are angry.

Insane to me that people are praising this online.

Don Mattrick should have just waited a generation huh?

 

[Robb]

It works! For now at least. I'm going to test the online access with my son tonight.

That's good to know. Hopefully they'll keep that option around.

 

[alf717]

Looks like you can share DLC, that pretty cool.

 

[jufonuk]

Tried it playing TMNT shredded revenge now and lent out enter the dungeon. Two weeks to play ain't bad. More games to share now. Less money to spend. Need to see if I can loan out to different people and they can loan to me. Would be nice. My son doesn't have as many digital games so will be nice to lend them to him.

 

[Kataploom]

Tried it playing TMNT shredded revenge now and lent out enter the dungeon. Two weeks to play ain't bad. More games to share now. Less money to spend. Need to see if I can loan out to different people and they can loan to me. Would be nice. My song doesn't have as many digital games so will be nice to lend them to him.

I think a very good thing about this that isn't mentioned enough is that the lend games will be used by receptor account, so if you play anything from any library, your save game is in your account in not the owners account. This was one of the reasons I didn't like the old method to play games from my wife's library

 

[mistuhcahlos]

That's good to know. Hopefully they'll keep that option around.

For anyone keeping track. My son can no longer access any of my games and we can no longer play games together online despite paying for the Nintendo Switch Online family package. Literally years of gaming together on the Switch has come to an end with this terrible update.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

For anyone keeping track. My son can no longer access any of my games and we can no longer play games together online despite paying for the Nintendo Switch Online family package. Literally years of gaming together on the Switch has come to an end with this terrible update.

Their claims that opting for the original game sharing wouldn't change anything are false. Makes me wonder if it's a bug or feature in their eyes. Very frustrating that you need two copies when they had no issues allowing you to use a single digital copy for this purpose.

 

[Kataploom]

So basically the people that used to play simultaneously with a single copy is the one having issues with this change.

I never had such a necessity and didn't even know you could play online that way, so I only see benefits for me.

 

[kevboard]

So basically the people that used to play simultaneously with a single copy is the one having issues with this change.

I never had such a necessity and didn't even know you could play online that way, so I only see benefits for me.

if it was any other system I would be pissed, as I use that constantly both on Xbox and PS5... but I don't use it on Switch so I don't really care in this case.
it is however clearly a bad change

 

[tr1p1ex]

For anyone keeping track. My son can no longer access any of my games and we can no longer play games together online despite paying for the Nintendo Switch Online family package. Literally years of gaming together on the Switch has come to an end with this terrible update.

Why wouldn't he be able to access your games? That's the whole point of it.

 

[mistuhcahlos]

Their claims that opting for the original game sharing wouldn't change anything are false. Makes me wonder if it's a bug or feature in their eyes. Very frustrating that you need two copies when they had no issues allowing you to use a single digital copy for this purpose.

He is in another state and 75% of the games I've purchased were for him. He can't access ANY of these games until we bring our Switches together so they can link. Problem is, I own multiple Switches (used for different purposes) and I can only have two linked total as far as I can tell.

 

[Kataploom]

if it was any other system I would be pissed, as I use that constantly both on Xbox and PS5... but I don't use it on Switch so I don't really care in this case.
it is however clearly a bad change

It depends on your use case, for me that only play single player games and rarely anything online, borrowing or lending games from family group members is way better than the old method, not only Nintendo announced once like two years ago that they were banning shared accounts because that's against their TOS, but also I don't like giving my account to anyone else for the risk of my Cloud saves game gets replaced by theirs by accident, and if borrow a game someone else's account I don't want the saved game to stay in their accounts, IDK why but it bothers me, so this change is perfect for me because we can share games and play each with their own accounts/profiles as we currently do with physical.

 

[Kataploom]

He is in another state and 75% of the games I've purchased were for him. He can't access ANY of these games until we bring our Switches together so they can link. Problem is, I own multiple Switches (used for different purposes) and I can only have two linked total as far as I can tell.

Those are very, veeeeery edge cases, but the service is new so it will probably just evolve from here and have everyone or most people covered

 

[DownLikeBCPowder]

If I understand how this works correctly, this will be very helpful for my daughter with the games we do have digitally.

 

[tr1p1ex]

He is in another state and 75% of the games I've purchased were for him. He can't access ANY of these games until we bring our Switches together so they can link. Problem is, I own multiple Switches (used for different purposes) and I can only have two linked total as far as I can tell.

yeah the 2 Switches have to be linked one time first.

YOu can lend games to your other Switches which should take care of the multiple Switches at home problem?

 

[kevboard]

He is in another state and 75% of the games I've purchased were for him. He can't access ANY of these games until we bring our Switches together so they can link. Problem is, I own multiple Switches (used for different purposes) and I can only have two linked total as far as I can tell.

this is exactly why the best version of this system is the new Steam system. it's essentially also "virtual carts" but you can use them at any time as long as you are in the same family group.

if you have 2 copies of Alan Wake 2, 2 people can play it at the same time. if you have 1 copy of a game, only 1 person can play it at the same time, but the moment that person stops playing, someone else can use that "copy" of the game.
you can even chose which copy you want to use, as someone might have bought a special edition or something, that has bonus content, while someone else only has the base version.
or an example I have, I have the uncensored version of The Darkness 2, while my cousin has the german censored version. so in this case he can chose my copy and play the uncensored version... ALTHOUGH the way this game was censored is laughably easy to circumvent either way, as the censorship is literally a DLC you can uninstall... so it's not really fully applicable here lol