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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →If you mean sharing games, you usually do not need to share your Nintendo Account. Keep your sign-in details private. Nintendo’s documented way to lend eligible digital games is to lend a virtual game card to someone in your Nintendo Account family group. For friends outside that group, use a physical game card or, for supported games and compatible consoles, GameShare.
What sharing a Nintendo Account does—and does not—do
Digital purchases are associated with the Nintendo Account that bought them; lending a game does not transfer ownership or move the purchase to a friend’s account. When a virtual game card is loaded on a console, other users on that console can play it. Nintendo’s account and game-access guidance explains these distinctions in its Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch account FAQ.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.83 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - US Version | $52.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Mario Kart™ World (Nintendo Switch 2) | $79.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Super Mario Galaxy™ + Super Mario Galaxy™ 2 | $64.99 | Buy on Amazon |
A family group is a collection of separate Nintendo Accounts, not a merged account or shared library. Nintendo says a family group can include up to eight accounts, including accounts with different country settings; My Nintendo points remain with the member who earned them. See Nintendo’s family group guide.
Option 1: Lend an eligible virtual game card to a family-group member
This is Nintendo’s documented option for lending a digital game. The borrower must be in your Nintendo Account family group, and both consoles must be nearby and connected to the internet when you lend the card. Some games are not eligible. Nintendo’s Virtual Game Card Guide has the current console instructions and title-specific details.
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- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Loan limits and what happens while a game is lent
- An account can lend up to three virtual game cards at once.
- A borrower can have only one borrowed virtual game card at a time.
- A loan lasts up to 14 days, then the card is automatically returned. It can also be returned or retrieved sooner.
- You cannot play a game while its virtual game card is lent. Once a card is loaded on a console, it can be played offline, and other users on that console can play it.
These are Nintendo service limits stated in its current support guidance. The number of consoles that can load virtual game cards for one Nintendo Account is two at a time; this is separate from the lending limits.
How to lend the card
- Bring your console and the family member’s console near each other and connect both to the internet.
- On your console, open the virtual game card menu and select the game you want to lend.
- Choose the option to lend the game to a family-group member, then select the borrower and confirm.
- Have the borrower load the virtual game card on their console. Use Nintendo’s Virtual Game Card Guide for the exact menu labels and current steps for your console software.
Option 2: Use GameShare for a temporary play session
GameShare is not a loan of the purchase or access to your account. A Nintendo Switch 2 starts sharing a supported game during a GameChat session; recipients can play only for the duration of that session. The initiating console must be a Switch 2, and game and console compatibility matters. Check Play Nintendo’s GameShare guidance for supported titles and requirements.
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- Fight faster and smarter with new and returning techniques, like the perfect shield and directional air dodge
- Face off in 2-4 player battles, or play against the computer
Option 3: Lend a physical game card
A physical Nintendo Switch game card can be played on a compatible console, so it can be lent to a friend who is not in your family group. The card itself must be available to insert: one physical copy cannot be used by both people at the same time. This shares the game card, not your digital purchases or account.
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- Journey through space in two Super Mario adventures, now improved for the Nintendo Switch system!
- Travel the stars with enhanced resolution, improved UI, and additional content
- Learn more about the Lumas from additional Storybook chapters, groove to a bit of additional music
- Get additional Health and fall recovery in Assist Mode
- Join Rosalina and the Lumas to restore the Comet Observatory and rescue Princess Peach in Super Mario Galaxy.
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- Explore courses at your own pace and wander the world to discover fun surprises in Free Roam
Which option should you choose?
| Option | Who can use it | Main conditions | Access limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual game card loan | A member of your Nintendo Account family group | Consoles must be nearby and online to lend; the title must support lending | Up to 14 days; owner cannot play the lent game until it is returned, retrieved, or the loan expires |
| Load your virtual game card on a console | Other users on that console | The card must be loaded there; up to two consoles per Nintendo Account can load virtual game cards at once | Not a transfer of the purchase to another account |
| GameShare | Friends with compatible hardware playing a supported title | A Switch 2 must start the share during a GameChat session | Recipient access ends when the session ends |
| Physical game card | Someone with a compatible console | The physical card must be available to insert | One card cannot be used by lender and borrower at the same time |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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