Nintendo has released a system update for the original Switch ahead of its planned June launch, including a new Virtual Game Card system that allows players to share digital downloads between consoles. The new setup enables users to “unload” a digital game license from one console and “load” it onto another console connected to the same Nintendo Account or family group.
However, some Switch owners have found that this new sharing system has limitations when it comes to sharing a single digital purchase for online play across multiple consoles. To address this issue, Nintendo offers an “Online License” feature deep in the Switch’s system menu. When enabled, the Switch will perform an online check to confirm that your Nintendo Account actually has access to the game.
This change represents a significant shift from Nintendo’s previous system, where any number of users on a designated primary console could play digital games without an online check-in. The new system now requires online access for all consoles to confirm ownership when a game is launched, or use the Virtual Game Card system for offline sharing.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/04/nintendo-imposes-new-limits-on-sharing-for-digital-switch-games