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Comment by musicale | Hacker News Reader

With the exception of a few (regrettable) "game key" cards, physical Switch 1/2 games are usually playable offline with just the game card and the console.

This is part of the appeal of Nintendo consoles - you don't need to connect them to the internet, and they are still terrific for local multiplayer.

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On the Switch 2 the game key card only needs the internet to download the game initially. Once it’s downloaded the GKC authorizes the license totally offline and you can play offline like any other cartridge. You’d only need internet for online features like any other game.

If you have another Switch with the game already on it you can even download the game from that Switch using the “match version” feature and then play with the GKC to authorize the license, no internet required.

What you explain is indeed the case... until Nintendo shuts off the game delivery servers in the future.

I didn't realize you could directly download peer-to-peer to another Switch using "match version". I haven't tried that - does it work without internet authorization ("checking if the software can be played" or something)?

That's what I do at home. We have few switches (2 and 1) and a stack of games. Whenever someone wants to play something they get the card and play and return it afterwards for others to enjoy. No internet needed except for initial switch 2 setup when you turn it on for the first time.

And, unlike discs, they play straight off the cartridge, without installation. What a concept!

Also you can resell Switch cartridges.

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