If I Have Two Nintendo Switches, Can I Share Games Easily?

The Nintendo Switch is an incredibly popular gaming console, known for its flexibility and convenience. Many players find themselves in situations where they own more than one Switch console. This raises a crucial question: Can you easily share games between two Nintendo Switch consoles? In this guide, we’ll delve into how you can share games effectively while adhering to Nintendo’s policies.

Understanding Account Linking

The first step in sharing games between two Nintendo Switch consoles is linking your Nintendo Account. You can link your account to multiple consoles, which allows you to access the digital games you’ve purchased on any of those devices. However, there are essential rules and considerations to keep in mind.

Making One Console the Primary Console

When linking your Nintendo Account, one of your consoles must be designated as the “primary” console. This is crucial because only the primary console can play the digital games linked to your account without any online connectivity. Consequently, any user on that console can access and play the games associated with your Nintendo Account. The secondary console, on the other hand, will have some limitations.

Playing on Two Consoles

With your Nintendo Account linked and one console set as primary, you can start enjoying your games. However, it’s important to note that while you can play digital games on both consoles, only one console can use a specific game at any given time. If you attempt to play the same title on both consoles simultaneously using the same Nintendo Account, you will encounter restrictions due to Nintendo’s Digital Rights Management (DRM) policy.

Example Scenario

Let’s say you have two Switch consoles: Console A (your primary console) and Console B (your secondary console). If you have downloaded a game like “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” on both consoles, you can play it on Console A without any issues. However, if someone tries to play the same game on Console B while it is being used on Console A, they will receive a notification indicating that the game is currently in use.

Offline Play Consideration

If you want to share digital games between two Nintendo Switches without facing the DRM limitations, keeping the non-primary console offline is a potential workaround. When the secondary console is not connected to the internet, it can often allow you to play downloaded games, assuming that game is not being used on your primary console. However, this method is not foolproof and can be cumbersome, particularly if you wish to play online multiplayer games.

Family Management and Nintendo Switch

For those who have family members who also want to enjoy gaming on the Nintendo Switch, consider using Nintendo’s Family Group feature. This allows multiple accounts to be set up under one primary account. Each family member can have their own Nintendo Account, which can help mitigate the issues related to game sharing. However, keep in mind that each account will also need to purchase their own copy of a game if they wish to play it simultaneously.

Redownload Games Anytime

Another benefit of linking your Nintendo Account to both consoles is the ability to redownload any game you’ve purchased. This means that even if you decide to remove a game to free up storage space, you can easily re-download it on either console as long as they are linked to your account. This makes it convenient for maintaining your game library without any lengthy processes.

Conclusion

Sharing games between two Nintendo Switch consoles is feasible, but it comes with specific limitations and rules set forth by Nintendo. By understanding how to link your account, setting a primary console, and knowing the restrictions on simultaneous gaming, you can successfully navigate the process. While having a secondary console can broaden your gaming experience, it is essential to be aware of the DRM constraints that Nintendo enforces. If managed well, you and your family can enjoy a fantastic gaming experience across multiple consoles. Happy gaming!