Player takes Switch on plane to survive 9-hour flight, but a new Nintendo feature disrupts his plans

The Nintendo Switch is considered a popular handheld console due to its lightweight and slim design, which makes it easy to take on vacation. However, one player recently had bad luck on his trip with the Switch.

What happened to the player? The user reports on Reddit that he wanted to travel with his Switch. However, as soon as he sat down in the airplane and wanted to start playing, his Switch complained that he should please insert a “virtual game card.” The problem: He needs an active internet connection for this step, which was not possible while on the plane. He explains:

Suddenly, Nintendo requires users to insert a “virtual game card” for games they already own. An internet connection is required for this. I find this out at the beginning of a 9-hour flight. I was completely bored.

Virtual game cards can be handy if you want to lend digital games

What is this feature? With the “Virtual Game Card”, you can temporarily lend digital games between Switch consoles. This applies to both your own consoles and to consoles and users who use the same family account. It works somewhat like Steam Family on PC, but with temporary restrictions.

What is the problem? Some speculate that the player made an error during setup: Instead of making his Switch the “primary console,” his account believes that it is logged in on a secondary console. In this case, he requires an online connection or a virtual card to be able to play the games.

The solution to the problem: He needs to disable the “Virtual Game Card” feature in the settings and use the old licensing system, where he can use digital purchases directly through his account and his Switch. Additionally, he should set his console as the primary system for the account so that he can also play offline in the future.

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