Topic: Switch family and 2 consoles

Hello!

Hope all is well.

I have done some reader (mostly reddit and watched some videos but it seems i am silly and still none the wiser)

I own (but have not touched) 2 Switches, they are for 2 (probably ungrateful) kids for Christmas.

I purchased the online family account and my plan was to get some digital games over black friday.
I have created 2 child accounts on the family account setup some restrictions to stop them buying games when they get the consoles.

I will make all purchases under my nintendo account and download the games to the switches.

Question 1:
Now - from my understanding, if (as an example) I purchase Mario Kart via the eShop am I right in thinking that Kid1 on Switch 1 and Kid2 on Switch 2 won't be able to play Mario Kart at the same time (or against each other).
They could obviously just use one switch and split-screen it but they both have TV's so ideally i'd like for them both to be able to play against each other.

If that is the case then i suspect I would need to try and pick up a cheap 2nd hand physical copy of some of the online multiplayer games.

In my head i imagined i paid for the game and the kids just played them on their own consoles against each other. My head is often wrong

Question 2:
If the above is not possible could kid1 and kid2 on their own switches play different games that i purchased at the same time?

Any ideas here?

@sosages To my understanding, for Question 1, you would need two copies of the game for them to both play at the same time on separate systems.
For Question 2, yes they could play two different games at the same time.
Hope this helps!

@sosages There are possible 3 ways you could play Switch multiplayer games:
-split screen on one console
-"local wireless" between multiple consoles(bluetooth)
-internet
(not all games support all 3 methods)

Eshop and back of game cases indicate multiplayer & contoller support. Just below middle of the game case see "Local Play up to 8players", "online play 1-12players". There are also "play mode" icons showing TV 1-4 players(this means split screen multiplayer), no-tv split joycon support, and handheld support.
https://gamefaqs1.cbsistatic.com/box/6/6/3/616663_back.jpg

You can share 1 physical cartridge, but only one console can play at a time. Extra download for patches may be required first time you play.

thanks guys.

From further reading i think only the following is possible.

Kid1 and kid2 could not under their own profiles play 2 different (or the same) games on 2 different consoles at the same time.

BUT..

If Kid 1 on switch 1 and kid 2 using MY profile on switch 2 wanted to play games (same or different) at the same time that would work.

So i think i am better off having a generic "kid" account on the main switch.

Interestingly this is worth a read:
https://www.engadget.com/2019/09/23/nintendo-switch-lite-game...

@sosages Each console is it's own computer. They work independently. But they have the option for local wireless multiplayer and internet multiplayer.

@sosages The article you link is saying you cannot share digitlal games. In your case, you have to buy the game twice, 1 game per console.

Now, a physical cartridge can be shared, but only one console can play that cartridge at a time.

@sosages I understand the confusion, but Splatoon 2 is an exception -terrible example. To prevent cheating in the competitive gaming world, each online profile requires it's own email linked profile. I wanted 2 profiles to play online. So, I bought family plan. and had to link a second email to the second profile.

Mario Kart 8 and other NIntendo brand games can be played at the same time, if they support multiplayer. Just check each game details to see what multiplayer modes are supported.

If you're still not clear on things, you can call nintendo customer service. They are really nice. Nintendo takes customer service seriously. They're impressive. Talking to someone will likely be the more efficient way to sort out consfusion.

@sosages I see why you're confused now. That article isn't suited for what you want to do. They are using one save profile across 2 consoles. It's for one owner using two switch consoles. Meaning, play a game on console 1, turn it off, and resume that same game on console 2. The annoying 3hr internet check mentioned in the article is because two consoles are trying to pair, because they are sharing one save profile. The writer's set up doesnt allow two consoles to play at the same time.

If you want your kids to be able to play against each other, console 1 vs. console 2, each console will require it's own account, and it's own copy of the game. So, you'll need to buy 2 games. There's no way around that. The benefit of setting up this way is, you will NOT get the annoying 3hr internet check mentioned in the article. And you can play offline all you want, no internet required.

(You can share a cartridge between your two consoles, but only one console can play that cartridge at a time.)

If you still have questions, I recommend Nintendo customer service. Their job is to help parents set up consoles for their kids, and they will be efficient communicators with this issue. And they are very nice
https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Support/Contact/General-Customer-S...

@WoomyNNYes
I have a switch for the whole family (3 ppl) we all play animal crossings, live on the same island, but there are times my wife and i would like to play at the same time. From what i read, it is: switch 1 (husband)has animal crossing game cartridge, and switch 2 (wife) has the exact same thing then we should be able to see each other on own screen while we play.

@Tazz76 Yeah, the multiple-switch-consoles stuff can get confusing.

If you want to play together using two consoles, then each console needs its own copy of the game. Meaning, if you've only bought one copy of the game, you'll need to buy a second.

You'll also need to be using separate Nintendo accounts for each console. If consoles are set up as a Primary and Non-Primary (aka secondary) console, that system is designed for one owner, and the switch won't let you play both consoles at the same time.

I'll understand if you have a follow up question.

Summary. Player 1 and player 2 need their own consoles, their own nintendo accounts, and their own copies of the game - one copy of game per console/player.

Thank you. I believe that will help me. The only thing is i have not transferred one of the accounts from the primary 1 console to the second console. Plus, I prefer to buy another game this way i don't have too many issues with downloaded content.

@Tazz76 Just to make you aware (if you are not already), Animal Crossing islands are tied to the console, so if your wife plays on a second Switch then It will be with a new island. You can visit each others islands and will appear on the same screen, but she won't 'live' on that original shared island (from Switch 1) and will just be visiting from her own new island - you can't share saves/islands over multiple consoles.