Can I Play Digital Games on Two Switches? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer is yes, but with caveats. You can download and play digital games purchased on your Nintendo Account on multiple Nintendo Switch consoles, but you can’t play the same game simultaneously on two consoles using the same account. One of your Switches must be designated as the “primary console.” This designation significantly affects how you and others can access your digital library. This article explores the intricacies of playing digital games across multiple Switches and answers common questions.

Understanding the Primary and Non-Primary Console System

The cornerstone of Nintendo’s digital game system lies in the primary console designation. This designation dictates how easily your digital games can be accessed and played.

• Primary Console: On your primary console, anyone can play your downloaded games, even without being logged into your Nintendo Account. This offers a seamless experience, similar to physical game cartridges, where anyone using the Switch can play the game.

• Non-Primary Console: On a non-primary console, only the Nintendo Account that purchased the games can play them. Moreover, this console requires an active internet connection to verify the game license each time a game is launched. Without an internet connection, you won’t be able to access your digital library on the non-primary console.

This system is designed to balance accessibility with preventing widespread game sharing beyond a household. Think of it as Nintendo’s way of saying, “We let you play your games on multiple devices, but we still need to ensure you’re the one playing.”

Setting and Changing Your Primary Console

You automatically designate a Switch as your primary console when you first access the Nintendo eShop on it with your Nintendo Account. If you acquire a second Switch, you’ll likely want to transfer the primary console designation. Here’s how:

1. Access the Nintendo eShop: On the Switch you want to make your primary console, open the Nintendo eShop using your Nintendo Account.
2. That’s It! Simply accessing the eShop with your account on a new console automatically makes it the primary console.
3. Verify: You can verify the primary console setting by accessing your Account Information within the eShop.

Important Note: You don’t need the previous primary console to perform the transfer. If your old Switch is lost, stolen, or broken, simply logging into the eShop on your new console will make it the primary console. However, if you still have access to the old Switch, it is recommended to de-register it as your primary console via your Nintendo Account settings on a web browser or the eShop of the old system before designating the new Switch.

Sharing Digital Games: The Nuances

While direct game sharing in the traditional sense is limited, Nintendo offers ways for families to share their digital libraries within their household. The family membership for Nintendo Switch Online provides an avenue for shared benefits across multiple accounts and consoles. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to get the insights in the way to share games and connect with friends.

• Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership: With a family membership, up to eight Nintendo Accounts can enjoy the benefits of Nintendo Switch Online, including online play, access to classic NES and SNES games, and cloud saves. However, this does not directly grant access to each other’s purchased digital games.

• Account Switching: The most direct, albeit cumbersome, method is signing out of your account on one console and signing into another. This allows access to your digital library, but it’s not ideal for simultaneous play.

Redownloading Games

The beautiful thing about digital games is that once you’ve purchased them, you can redownload them as many times as you need. This is essential for playing on multiple Switches.

1. Access the Nintendo eShop: On the Switch where you want to redownload the game, open the Nintendo eShop using the Nintendo Account that originally purchased the game.
2. Access Your Account Information: Select your user icon in the top-right corner to access your account settings.
3. Select “Redownload”: Highlight the “Redownload” option.
4. Choose Your Game: A list of previously purchased titles will appear. Select the game you want to redownload.
5. Redownload: Select the orange icon to begin the redownload process.

Save Data: Transferring Your Progress

Playing games on multiple consoles means managing your save data. Unlike physical games where the save data is on the cartridge, save data for digital games is stored on the console’s internal memory.

• Cloud Saves (Nintendo Switch Online Required): Nintendo Switch Online members can back up their save data to the cloud for many games. This allows you to easily download your save data onto another console. Note: Not all games support cloud saves.
• Save Data Transfer Tool: The Nintendo Switch also has a Save Data Transfer Tool that allows you to transfer save data between consoles. This method requires both consoles to be in close proximity and connected to the internet.
• Specific Game Transfer (e.g., Animal Crossing): Some games, like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, have their own unique transfer methods.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can two people play the same digital game on different Switches at the same time?

No. You cannot play the same digital game simultaneously on two Switches using the same Nintendo Account. The system is designed to prevent this form of simultaneous play.

2. Do I have to rebuy digital games for a second Switch?

No, you do not have to rebuy digital games. Purchases made on a Nintendo Account can be redownloaded and played on any Nintendo Switch system it is linked to.

3. Why does my second Switch need Internet to play games?

Your non-primary Switch needs an internet connection to verify your game license with Nintendo’s servers. This ensures that you have the right to play the digital games.

4. How do I make my second Switch primary?

Access the Nintendo eShop on the console that you want to be the primary console using your Nintendo Account. This action automatically designates that console as your primary.

5. How many times can you change primary Switch?

There’s no limit to how many times you can change your primary Switch. However, repeatedly switching can be inconvenient due to the online verification requirement for the non-primary console.

6. What happens to my save data if I play on multiple Switches?

Save data is stored on the console you’re currently using. To play with your latest save data on different consoles, you need to transfer the save data using cloud saves (Nintendo Switch Online required) or the Save Data Transfer Tool.

7. Can I share my Nintendo Switch Online membership with someone on a different Switch?

Yes, with a Nintendo Switch Online family membership, up to eight Nintendo Accounts can access the service, regardless of which Switch they are using.

8. If I get a new Switch, will I lose my digital games?

No, you won’t lose your digital games. Once you log in to your Nintendo Account on the new Switch, you can redownload all your previously purchased games.

9. Can I play online multiplayer games on two different Switches with the same Nintendo Account?

No, you cannot play online multiplayer games simultaneously on two different Switches using the same Nintendo Account. Each player needs their own account for online play.

10. What if my original Switch is lost or stolen?

You can still transfer your Nintendo Account and digital games to a different Nintendo Switch console and make that console your account’s primary console. You can do this by logging into the eShop on your new console.

11. How do I transfer my Animal Crossing: New Horizons island to a new Switch?

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has a specific island transfer tool. Download this tool on both your old and new Switches and follow the in-game instructions.

12. Does Nintendo Switch Online work on multiple Switches?

Yes, players using a family membership can access the Nintendo Switch Online service via the same Nintendo Switch system or multiple systems.

13. Can I play the same digital game on my primary Switch while someone else plays a different digital game on my non-primary Switch?

Yes, as long as the person playing on the non-primary Switch is using the Nintendo Account that purchased the games and has an active internet connection, they can play a different digital game simultaneously.

14. Can I use a game card on two switches?

Save data for games on the Switch is saved to the console itself, not the game Cartridge. So you can swap the same physical game between any number of consoles and each console will have different save data.

15. Is it possible to set up a family account to easily share digital games?

While Nintendo doesn’t offer a direct “family account” for sharing digital game ownership, the Nintendo Switch Online family membership offers benefits across multiple accounts. The primary/non-primary console system also facilitates sharing within a household, albeit with the limitations mentioned earlier.

Conclusion

Navigating the world of digital games on multiple Nintendo Switches requires understanding the primary console system and its implications. While direct simultaneous play is restricted, the ability to redownload games and transfer save data ensures that you can enjoy your digital library across multiple devices. By utilizing cloud saves, the Save Data Transfer Tool, and understanding the Nintendo Switch Online family membership, you can create a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience for yourself and your family. Keep exploring the world of games and learning with the Games Learning Society.