Can Two Switches Share Nintendo Online? A Deep Dive into Nintendo’s Online Ecosystem
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The short answer is: Yes, two Nintendo Switch consoles can share a Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) membership, but with certain caveats. The most straightforward way to achieve this is through a Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership. An individual membership only covers one account, regardless of how many Switches you own. With a Family Membership, up to eight Nintendo Accounts can access the service, regardless of which Switch console they are using. However, there are nuances to understand concerning digital game sharing and playing the same game simultaneously on different consoles. Let’s break it down.
Understanding Nintendo Switch Online Memberships
There are two main types of Nintendo Switch Online memberships:
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Individual Membership: This covers only one Nintendo Account. If you have multiple people in your household with separate accounts, this won’t suffice for everyone.
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Family Membership: This is the key to sharing. It covers up to eight Nintendo Accounts, regardless of which Switch they are using. All members must be part of the same Nintendo Account family group.
How to Set Up a Family Group
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Designate an Admin: One Nintendo Account will be the admin and responsible for managing the family group.
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Invite Members: The admin can invite up to seven other Nintendo Accounts to join the group. These can be accounts for adults or children.
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Accept Invitations: Each invited member must accept the invitation to become part of the family group.
Once everyone is in the family group, all members automatically receive the benefits of Nintendo Switch Online, including online play, access to classic NES and SNES games, cloud saves (for compatible games), and special offers.
Game Sharing and Simultaneous Play: The Catch
While the NSO benefits are shareable within a family group, digital game sharing has limitations.
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Primary Console: Every Nintendo Account has a primary console. This is typically the first Switch the account owner used to access the Nintendo eShop. On the primary console, anyone using the console can play the digital games purchased by that account.
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Non-Primary Consoles: On non-primary consoles, only the account that purchased the game can play it. Furthermore, to play the game on a non-primary console, the console must connect to the internet to verify the account’s right to play.
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Simultaneous Play Restriction: You cannot play the same digital game simultaneously on two different Switch consoles using the same Nintendo Account. If you try to launch the same game on a second console while it’s already running on another, you will get an error message.
Physical Copies Offer Flexibility
The simplest way to play the same game simultaneously on two Switches is with physical copies. Since there’s no digital rights management (DRM) check for physical games, each Switch can play the game independently.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack offers additional benefits, including access to Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and SEGA Genesis games, as well as downloadable content for select games (like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass and Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ Happy Home Paradise). The sharing rules are the same as the standard NSO membership – a Family Membership covers up to eight accounts.
FAQs: Nintendo Switch Online Sharing Explained
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify how Nintendo Switch Online sharing works:
1. Can multiple users on the same Switch benefit from a Family Membership?
Yes, as long as each user has their own Nintendo Account and is part of the Nintendo Account family group. Multiple user profiles on one Nintendo Switch console do not automatically get online access from a single Nintendo Account.
2. Can I share my digital games with friends outside my family group?
Officially, no. Digital game sharing is primarily designed for users within the same Nintendo Account family group. Sharing outside this group is not supported and could violate Nintendo’s terms of service.
3. If I buy a game digitally, can my child play it on their Switch?
Yes, if your child’s Nintendo Account is part of your family group and you designate your Switch as their console’s “primary console.” Alternatively, you will have to redownload the game to the non-primary switch you wish to play it on, and only play it on that non-primary switch using the account the purchased the game.
4. What happens if I try to play the same digital game simultaneously on two Switches with the same account?
You will receive an error message on the second console, preventing you from playing the game. Nintendo’s DRM prevents simultaneous play of the same digital game on multiple consoles using the same account.
5. Does each Switch require its own copy of a game for local wireless play?
Generally, yes. For most games that support local wireless multiplayer, each Switch console needs its own copy of the game (either digital or physical). Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, for instance, requires each console to have its own copy for local wireless play.
6. Can I transfer my save data between two Switches?
Yes, if you have a Nintendo Switch Online membership. You can use the cloud save feature to back up your save data and then download it on another Switch. However, not all games support cloud saves.
7. How do I change my primary console?
You can deregister your current primary console through the Nintendo eShop on that console. Then, the next Switch you use to access the eShop will automatically become your new primary console. You can also deregister a primary console remotely through the Nintendo website, but only once per year.
8. What happens if I leave a Nintendo Account family group?
You will lose access to the Nintendo Switch Online benefits provided by the family group. Any parental controls set by the family group admin will also be removed from your account.
9. Can I have multiple Nintendo Accounts on one Switch?
Yes, you can have up to eight user accounts on a single Nintendo Switch console.
10. Do I need the Expansion Pack to play online with friends who have it?
No, you can still play online with friends who have the Expansion Pack, even if you only have the standard Nintendo Switch Online membership. However, you won’t be able to access the Expansion Pack’s exclusive content (like N64 and SEGA Genesis games) unless you also subscribe to the Expansion Pack.
11. If I buy a physical game, can my whole family play it on different Switches?
Yes, as long as each Switch has the physical game inserted. Physical games are not tied to a specific account or console.
12. Is “It Takes Two” playable online with only one person owning the game?
Yes! The game is designed with a Friend’s Pass, allowing a second player to join online play without needing to purchase the full game.
13. Can I play Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit with two players on one Switch?
Yes, in split-screen mode. Each player needs their own kart (Mario or Luigi) and controller. Alternatively, up to four players can race together using four Switch systems and karts.
14. Can two people use the same character in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
Yes, players can now pick the same character, a feature that was not available in earlier versions.
15. Can I play Mario Party on two switches with one game?
You can play standard Mario Party games on one Switch. Toad’s Rec Room games, additional mini-games that require two systems, require 2 copies of the game.
Conclusion
Sharing Nintendo Switch Online across two or more consoles is entirely possible with a Family Membership. While digital game sharing has its limits, understanding the primary and non-primary console distinctions will help you manage your game library effectively. Don’t forget the flexibility offered by physical game copies! By leveraging these strategies, you can ensure everyone in your household enjoys the full range of Nintendo Switch Online benefits and gaming experiences.
For further insights into the educational aspects of gaming and how these platforms can be used for learning, consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society, which can be found at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.