Nintendo Switch owners receive GameShare ahead of Switch 2 launch

Nintendo announced during its Switch 2-dedicated Direct a new feature for both the upcoming console and the original Nintendo Switch, and that feature was Game Share, which enables owners of either console to share a game with other Nintendo Switch devices locally, even if the owner has a single copy.

Nintendo explains Game Share as follows: "play together locally on multiple systems using just one game." Notably, this feature won't work when trying to share Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive titles to the original Nintendo Switch. A basic rule of thumb here is that if the game is compatible with both systems, Game Share will be available.

The feature is locked to local play, meaning users will have to be connected to the same wireless network to be able to share games across systems. Additionally, the Nintendo Switch 2 must be the console to initiate the Game Share feature, meaning the feature cannot be used between two original Nintendo Switch systems. Original Nintendo Switch systems have just received a massive update from Nintendo that has laid the groundwork for GameShare ahead of the official launch of the Switch 2 on June 5, as Nintendo details in its recent patch notes for the console, the following:

GameShare

• Compatible software can be shared from a Nintendo Switch 2 system to other nearby system(s) to play together.
• You can only play together via local wireless, and the Nintendo Switch 2 system must initiate GameShare.
• This feature cannot be used between two Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch - OLED Model and/or Nintendo Switch Lite systems.

2

GameShare has received its dedicated icon on the original Switch within this update, along with an icon for Virtual Game Card, another feature announced during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct.