Can Two Switches Share One Island? Unraveling the Mystery of Island Living on Nintendo Switch
The simple answer is: No, two Nintendo Switch consoles cannot share a single island in games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Each island is intrinsically linked to a specific Nintendo Switch system, meaning that the island’s save data is stored directly on the console itself. This means that even if you have multiple copies of the game, they will each create a separate island on different systems. Let’s dive into why this is the case and explore related questions to help you understand the nuances of sharing games and consoles.
The Island is Tied to the Console, Not the Game
The core reason why you can’t share an island across two Switch consoles lies in how Nintendo designed the save system for certain games, notably Animal Crossing. Unlike some other titles where save files can be cloud-based or linked to a user profile, island data is saved locally on the specific Switch hardware. This system ensures that players experience the game uniquely, making each island feel like a personal endeavor.
This also means that if multiple people in your household share a single Switch and play Animal Crossing, they are all required to live on the same island. There is no option to create separate islands on one console. If each person desires their own individual island, they will need their own separate Nintendo Switch system.
Understanding Primary and Secondary Consoles
While you can’t share an island, you can share digital games across multiple Nintendo Switch consoles through Nintendo Accounts. When you purchase a digital game, it’s tied to your Nintendo Account, which you can then link to various Switch consoles. However, one of these consoles will always be designated as your primary console.
- Primary Console: On your primary console, anyone can play the games you’ve purchased. It also is the default destination for your save data to be uploaded to the Nintendo Switch Cloud if your account has Nintendo Online.
- Secondary Console: On any other consoles where you log in with your account, only your user profile can access the games you’ve downloaded. When playing on a secondary console, a check-in with Nintendo servers is required before you can begin the game. Thus, a persistent internet connection is a must on secondary consoles.
This setup allows families to access digital games across devices but doesn’t circumvent the limitation of one island per console in games like Animal Crossing.
Playing Together: Local Multiplayer Options
Even though you can’t share a single island between consoles, you can still play together with multiple Nintendo Switch consoles through the local wireless play feature, depending on the specific game. For example, in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, up to eight players can connect multiple Nintendo Switch consoles and play together offline. This is achieved through direct console-to-console wireless communication. So, while two kids can’t work on the same Animal Crossing island, they can still race together in Mario Kart.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To provide even more clarity, here are 15 FAQs related to sharing games, accounts, and islands on Nintendo Switch:
1. Can two players share an island on one Switch?
Yes, up to eight players can reside on the same island within a single Animal Crossing game on one Switch. However, they must all share the same island, and there is no option to have separate islands on one console. Only up to four players can play at the same time on a single console.
2. Can I transfer my island to a different Switch?
Yes, you can transfer your island data from one Nintendo Switch console to another. Nintendo provides a dedicated island transfer tool for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This tool ensures that your progress and save data are moved securely and completely to the new console.
3. Can I play Animal Crossing on two Switches with one game?
Yes, but not simultaneously. You can use your primary and secondary console setup to play the same save file on either console, but you can only play on one console at a time. The game’s save data needs to sync between the two consoles. Only one player can play the game at once, and therefore only one player can work on the island at one time.
4. Can I share my digital games with my family?
Yes, through Nintendo Account’s primary and secondary console system. You can set one console as your primary console, allowing anyone to play your games. On a secondary console, only the account that purchased the game can play the downloaded titles. This allows you to share games without having to purchase multiple copies.
5. Can two switches share Nintendo Switch Online?
Yes, you can share Nintendo Switch Online if you have a family membership. Everyone in the family group can use the online service, even on different consoles. However, multiple users on the same console are not automatically covered by a family membership.
6. Do I need to buy multiple copies of a game for multiple Switch consoles?
It depends on what you want to achieve. To play simultaneously with different accounts on separate consoles, you will need multiple game copies. If you only want to play on one of your consoles at a time, you can purchase the digital version of a game and access it through the primary and secondary console setup on the desired console.
7. Can you play Mario Kart on two switches with one game?
No, you can’t play Mario Kart simultaneously on two separate consoles with one copy of the game. For local wireless play with multiple consoles, each console needs its own copy of the game. However, up to eight players can connect wirelessly and play together with their own consoles and games.
8. What is the point of a Nintendo family account?
A Nintendo Account family group allows up to eight accounts to be connected together. This enables all members to share a family Nintendo Switch Online membership and enables access to digital games via the primary and secondary console setup as well. It also permits family members to share eShop purchases amongst themselves. The primary benefit is that every family member isn’t required to pay for their own online access.
9. Does each child need a Nintendo Account?
Yes, if they wish to play online or buy games digitally, they will need their own Nintendo Account. This account is how they will track save data, access online multiplayer, and make purchases on the eShop.
10. Can I play Nintendo Switch games offline?
Yes, many Switch games can be played offline, including most single-player titles and many local multiplayer titles. If you don’t require an online connection for your desired game, you can play at home or on the go without an internet connection. However, the primary and secondary console feature requires internet connectivity.
11. Can two switches play together offline?
Yes, in many cases, you can connect two or more Nintendo Switch consoles for offline, local wireless play. Many multiplayer games support this feature, allowing you to play together even without an internet connection.
12. Can you download the same game on two switches?
Yes, purchases made on a Nintendo Account can be redownloaded and played on any Switch linked to the account. However, only one console can be designated as the primary console at any time. Additionally, if a single game file is intended to be accessed on multiple consoles at the same time, that would require two copies of the same game, such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and would then need to be played via wireless play.
13. How many Switch games can you store on the internal memory?
The standard Nintendo Switch has 32GB of internal storage, which roughly translates to space for 3 to 4 average games. Depending on the game sizes, this number can vary. For those wanting to download more games, an external Micro SD card is recommended.
14. Can my wife and I share a Nintendo Account?
Yes, you and your wife can be members of the same Nintendo Account family group. The admin of the account controls who is part of that family group, and each member can have their own individual profile and save data for their games, even while sharing the same family account.
15. Do I lose my games if I sell my Switch?
No, you don’t lose your digital games when you sell your Nintendo Switch. Your purchases are linked to your Nintendo Account, so you can redownload them on any console where you log in with your account. You do, however, lose your save data if it is not backed up to the cloud with Nintendo Switch Online.
Conclusion
While the inability to share a single island across two Nintendo Switch consoles might be disappointing to some players, it ensures each user has their own unique gaming experience. Through understanding the limitations of island saves, the primary and secondary console settings, family accounts and how to share games, players can optimize their setup, and choose between enjoying a single island with friends, or having their own personalized journey. By understanding the various options, families and friends can maximize their fun and enjoyment on their Nintendo Switch system(s).