Can Nintendo Family Accounts Share Games? The Ultimate Guide
Yes, Nintendo family accounts can share games, but with specific conditions and limitations. It’s not as straightforward as sharing a physical game cartridge, but with a good understanding of primary consoles, Nintendo Accounts, and the Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership, you can certainly maximize your gaming enjoyment within a family setting. Let’s dive into the specifics to unlock the full potential of shared gaming on the Nintendo Switch!
Understanding Nintendo Accounts and User Profiles
Before we delve into sharing games, it’s crucial to understand the difference between Nintendo Accounts and user profiles on the Nintendo Switch. A Nintendo Account is your personal account connected to Nintendo’s online services, including the eShop for purchasing digital games and the Nintendo Switch Online service. A user profile, on the other hand, is a local profile created on your Nintendo Switch console, allowing different individuals to play games and save their progress separately.
Think of it this way: the Nintendo Account is like your online identity, and the user profile is like your individual character within the Nintendo Switch system. You can link a Nintendo Account to a user profile, which is necessary to purchase and download digital games.
Sharing Digital Games on a Primary Console
The key to sharing digital games lies in the concept of a primary console. When you purchase a digital game with your Nintendo Account, you can designate one Nintendo Switch console as your primary console. On this primary console, any user profile can play the digital games purchased with your Nintendo Account.
This means that if Mom buys Animal Crossing: New Horizons on her Nintendo Account and has her Nintendo Switch designated as the primary console, Dad and the kids can all play the game on their own user profiles on that same console.
Playing Games on a Non-Primary Console
Now, what happens if you have multiple Nintendo Switch consoles in your household? Here’s where things get a bit trickier. On a non-primary console, only the Nintendo Account that purchased the game can play it. Other user profiles on that non-primary console will not be able to access the game.
For example, if Dad has a Nintendo Switch Lite that’s not designated as the primary console, only Dad’s user profile (linked to his Nintendo Account) can play the digital games he purchased. Mom and the kids can’t play those games on his Switch Lite, even if they share the same Nintendo Family Group.
Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership
While the above information concerns game sharing, the Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership unlocks other collaborative and shared experiences. This membership allows up to eight Nintendo Accounts within a family group to access the Nintendo Switch Online service.
This includes online multiplayer, access to a library of classic NES and Super NES games, cloud saves, and special offers. It’s a great value for families with multiple Nintendo Switch users who want to play online together and enjoy the other benefits of the service. It’s important to note that the Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership facilitates online service sharing, not game sharing beyond the primary console limitations. The Games Learning Society provides more information on the impacts of online gaming.
Key Takeaways for Sharing Games
- Primary Console is King: Designate one Nintendo Switch as the primary console for the Nintendo Account with the most digital games.
- Family Group for Online Benefits: The Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership unlocks online play and other features for up to eight accounts.
- Non-Primary Console Limitations: On non-primary consoles, only the account that purchased the game can play it.
- User Profiles are Key: Create separate user profiles for each family member to track individual progress and preferences.
Understanding these core concepts allows you to optimize game sharing within your family, making the most of your Nintendo Switch experience.
FAQs: Nintendo Family Accounts and Game Sharing
1. Can I share my digital games with family members on different Nintendo Switch consoles?
Yes, but with limitations. Only the primary console allows all users to play games purchased by a specific Nintendo Account. On other consoles, only the purchasing Nintendo Account can play those games.
2. How do I designate a Nintendo Switch as my primary console?
The first Nintendo Switch console you use to access the eShop with your Nintendo Account is automatically designated as your primary console. To change your primary console, you need to deregister the current console and then access the eShop on the new one.
3. Can I change my primary console as many times as I want?
You can only deregister your primary console remotely once per year. If you need to do it more often, you’ll need to have physical access to the console to deregister it.
4. What is the Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership?
The Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership provides online multiplayer access, a library of classic games, cloud saves, and other benefits to up to eight Nintendo Accounts within a family group.
5. Does the Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership allow me to share games between different consoles?
No, the Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership only provides access to online services, not shared ownership of digital games beyond the primary console restrictions.
6. Can I be part of multiple Nintendo Family Groups?
No, a Nintendo Account can only be part of one Nintendo Family Group at a time.
7. Can friends share a Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership?
Yes! While it’s called a “Family” Membership, there’s no restriction on who you include in your family group. You can share it with friends, as long as you trust them.
8. What happens if someone leaves the Nintendo Family Group?
When a user leaves a Nintendo Family Group, they lose access to the Nintendo Switch Online benefits associated with that group. They will also lose access to features like parental controls set by the admin.
9. Can I add someone from a different country to my Nintendo Family Group?
Yes. A Nintendo Switch Online Membership gives access to lots of NES and SNES games to play at any time.
10. How many user accounts can I create on one Nintendo Switch console?
You can create up to eight user accounts on a single Nintendo Switch console.
11. Can I link multiple Nintendo Accounts to one Nintendo Switch console?
Yes, you can link up to eight Nintendo Accounts to a single Nintendo Switch console.
12. If I buy a physical game, can everyone on my Nintendo Switch play it?
Yes! Physical games can be played by any user on the Nintendo Switch console, regardless of which Nintendo Account is associated with the console.
13. What’s the difference between a child account and a regular Nintendo Account?
Child accounts have restrictions for younger users. General Nintendo Accounts can only be created by users age 13 and older who have an email account.
14. Is it better to buy Nintendo games online or in person?
It depends on your preference! Digital offers convenience, while physical allows for resale and collecting.
15. Where can I learn more about the impact of games on learning and development?
Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for research, articles, and resources on the educational benefits of gaming.