Buying games digitally has many advantages, but it can be a hindrance when it comes to sharing games with friends. If you have a physical copy of a game, lending it to a friend to enjoy for the weekend is as easy as giving them your Nintendo Switch cartridge. Since game saves aren't stored on the cartridge, they can play the game without any problems. However, sharing digital games on Nintendo Switch isn't quite that simple. It can be done, but it requires a series of steps that we'll explain here today.
Can you share digital games on Nintendo Switch?
We buy fewer and fewer physical games and prefer the digital versions. On Nintendo Switch, we can get hold of practically any video game in the catalog through the eShop, which is the official store of the Big N that we can access from the console itself. From there, we can buy our titles and link them to our Nintendo ID. It is a well-known practice among users, since both PlayStation and Xbox have this unwritten law of being able to share games with another person in order to save a lot by sharing the library. However, as we will see below, in the case of Nintendo things get a little more complicated, and that fanciful freedom that we can see on the competing platforms is not achieved.
Yes, you can share your digital games
One of the lesser-known features of the Nintendo Switch is the ability to share digital games across multiple consoles . Sharing allows you to use a single copy of a game on several devices, similar to lending someone a physical copy. However, this process is designed more for families with multiple consoles than for groups of friends, as the system has a few quirks that intentionally make the process a bit more challenging.
As you may know, every game you buy from the Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo Switch is linked to a Nintendo Account . So, the first thing you need to do to have the same digital game on two consoles is to sign in to the second console with the same Nintendo Account you used to purchase the game.
But no, it doesn't end there. Each Nintendo account can be associated with a primary or secondary console . Let's say we have a Nintendo Switch OLED (primary) and a Switch Lite (secondary) at home. We'll use the same Nintendo account on both. If I bought Pokémon Diamond Brilliant with my Nintendo account, I'll be able to access all the game's online features on my Switch OLED without any problems. However, if my partner wants to play the same game on their Switch Lite, they'll have to meet certain requirements.
Requirements to play digital games on a secondary account
- The console secondary require Internet access permanent to be able to play any shared video game.
- Furthermore, the main console you can make use of the games whether you havee connection as if not.
- If Nintendo's servers detect that both consoles are trying to make use of same game at the same time (i.e. playing simultaneously with a single license), the system will prevent this, giving priority to the main console.
- will exist limitations when playing certain titles, as we will see later.
How to Share a Nintendo Switch Digital Game
This method we're about to explain is unofficial and has no support from Nintendo. The Nintendo of America website briefly explains the process, but without going into detail. Despite this, we can say with absolute certainty that it works.
- Buy a digital game in the Nintendo eShop, either through the console itself or from the web on your personal computer.
- The game will be installed on your primary console, as usual.
- Go to the eShop and click on your user in the upper right corner of the interface.
- Go to the end and there will be a selector asking if that is your main console. Uncheck it.
- on the other console, create a new user. To do this, go to Settings, Users and Add User.
- Fill in the fields and in the last step, use the same account from Nintendo with which you purchased the game in the first step.
- Automatically, the console will be set as primary.
- Go back to the Nintendo eShop and download the games you bought with your Nintendo account.
- Reverse the primary and secondary roles if necessary so that each console has priority over the games that each user has purchased.
Disadvantages of game sharing on Switch
- You will not be able to play in cooperative mode. Even if you have the same game on two consoles at the same time, you will not be able to use cooperative games with a single license, since it is impossible to run the title on both consoles while maintaining Internet connectivity on both consoles at the same time.
- Privacy. This method is identical to what we have seen on other consoles such as PlayStation, and requires us to log in with our Nintendo username and password on another console. If said Switch is our property, there is no problem. But if the console with which we are going to share belongs to a friend, it may give us some repair Enter our data. Needless to say do not do this process with a stranger, since you will put your account, your games and even your bank account at risk.
- Be careful what you do on the main Switch. If you remove the user from your primary console, all your save data from your games will be deleted. unless you have a backup made on Nintendo Switch Online. The secondary account does not guarantee that you will be able to recover your data if it was not previously in the Nintendo cloud.
- The game will be stopped on the secondary console at the moment when the console has no internet. If you play on a site with bad coverage or stray too far from the router, you risk having your game stop suddenly.
- You will only be able to play with the account that purchased the game. This is quite an important factor. Even if you see your game in your main menu, you can only use it with the account that your friend created on your console. However, on the main console, any user will be able to launch the game without any problem.
Is this method worth it?
Yes and no. We've already seen that the Nintendo Switch catalog has improved considerably since its launch. However, the prices of its titles have remained static over time , not dropping a single euro in years. This method is great if we want to share games with friends that we no longer play very often , especially if they are titles that don't have online capabilities or even if we're simply bored with them.
Similarly, it's also interesting to do the process the other way around . Have your friend share their library with you on your console as well. This way, you can discover new titles that you probably would never have bought otherwise because you had no prior knowledge of them.
Even so, the method is somewhat cumbersome, and Nintendo has done it this way intentionally to prevent users from overusing the system. However , if you have close friends and want to share your purchases, the method is definitely worthwhile.
What about accounts that are sold on forums and eBay?
Sharing games with friends is a way to save money or try out titles you're not entirely sure you'll like. If you've done a lot of online research to find cheap games, you've probably come across accounts being sold in forum marketplaces and online stores like eBay.
Are they worth it? Are they trustworthy? Well, it depends. Some forums do organize group buys for certain titles among several users, saving them money. Usually, the purchase is made with a new account that is then linked to each console. In this case, Nintendo hasn't yet taken any steps to prevent this practice, although you should keep in mind that you'll have the same limitations we mentioned at the beginning.
On the other hand, some users sell accounts online , especially on secondhand platforms. In this case, think very carefully before making a purchase. If the account is shared, run. If it isn't, seriously consider whether the price you're going to pay is worth it. In many cases, it will be much cheaper to buy a physical cartridge with a friend and swap it occasionally. These types of stores don't offer any kind of guarantee, so you run a high risk of being scammed.
physical vs. Digital. Pros and cons
At this point, we can ask ourselves whether or not it is worth going digital on Nintendo Switch. If you have your doubts, let's make a brief comparison between both formats so that you can decide calmly:
Physical format
We're referring to the physical format when we talk about going to the store and buying the cover that comes with the game cartridge. The physical format has lost some of its appeal over the years. It's less convenient , and inside the case, you won't find anything special anymore. Years ago, video games came with manuals and the occasional leaflet that might be useful. Nowadays, whether you buy one format or the other, you'll get the same thing.
In favor of the physical game
What are the advantages of physical copies on Nintendo Switch? First, physical copies are sometimes cheaper than digital ones. This doesn't make much sense, since the cartridge and cover art have additional costs for both materials and distribution. However, retailers may lower the price to get rid of the games. And that's when some titles become cheaper than their digital versions.
Another advantage of betting on this format is that you can also save a lot of money by buying second-hand games, either in stores or on online platforms like Wallapop. In the same way, you can recover your investment by selling those titles that have disappointed you or that you are not going to play again.
But the thing does not stop there. You will have the game cover itself, and the card will guarantee that the game will belong to you until it stops working. You will be able to play the title without any impediment and lend it to whoever you want - of course, lend it only to whoever you think can return it to you. In addition, some Nintendo Switch games maintain their price very well, the value even increases in the second hand if we keep the cover in good condition. Come on, if you get some exclusive games in physical format, it is even possible that in the future, you will have a valuable asset.
Weak points of the physical format
They are not all advantages if we opt to buy the cards for Nintendo Switch. The first point against it is that you will have to insert the card into the console every time you play. On paper, nothing special, but it is a thousand times more comfortable to change the game simply by going through the Home menu of the console.
Also, the physical cartridge can be lost, broken, or even stolen. With the digital format, a theft is somewhat less dramatic, since you can start your titles again on another console without much problem.
Digital format
It is one of the formats that has had the most market share in recent years, although in the case of Nintendo, taking into account that Switch has many underage users, sales accumulate many figures in the physical format. But digital also has its pros and cons.
in favor of format digital
It is more comfortable. Also, during some campaigns throughout the year, you can buy quite a few games at totally ridiculous prices, with discounts that can go as high as 90%. You have the possibility to buy it and receive it immediately, without leaving home and literally without getting up from the sofa. And of course, it has the advantage of being able to take advantage of the game sharing function with friends or family, which is basically its main attraction. It's a very smart way to get sales, but it also has a pretty dangerous double edge.
Weak points of the digital format
But it also has several negative points. Sharing games with friends—or with another console that belongs to us—is not that easy. You can do tricks to get cheaper editions, but playing with the shared versions will always have its limitations. Oh, and if the eShop ever closes, you'll lose your license. This has already happened with Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. Therefore, if you are interested in keeping your games over time, the digital route is not the most appropriate, and there is nothing safer than having your games stored in their little box on that shelf that you have as a temple of gamer worship.