Nintendo recently showed off some new features for theSwitch 2, including the exciting GameShare function that will change how you approach multiplayer titles. GameShare is a way to play a game locally with your friends on your consoles, even if everyone doesn’t own the game. While this looks like it could be a game-changer, it does have one major catch that stops it from being as good as it could be.
Today’s Nintendo Direct gave us a look at a lot of new information about the company’s next console, including theSwitch 2’s release date. Aside from GameShare, we also learned about other exciting features on the new console, including the fact thatGameCube games are coming to Nintendo Switch Online. Even with these major announcements, I think Game Share would have easily been the biggest news we heard today if it wasn’t for one small factor that may hold it back from its full potential.
How GameShare Works On Switch 2
GameShare Lets You Play Local Or Online Multiplayer With Only One Person Needing To Own The Game
An overview of the GameShare was shown as part of today’s Nintendo Direct, which can be seen on Nintendo’sYouTubechannel if you missed it earlier. The basic idea behind GameShare is toallow players to play multiplayer games locally on multiple Switch 2 consoles, even if only one player owns the game. This feature can also be used to play remotely online with friends, which is honestly a little surprising to me. I feel like Nintendo could easily have limited this to a local feature to try and prevent GameShare from eating into their sales numbers.
There is a lot to love about GameShare. For one, it cuts down on the times when you may feel either left out or pressured into buying a game that your friend owns just to participate in a social event. It can also be a good way to test out a game for free and see if it’s something you want for yourself. Honestly, I can see this working out pretty well for Nintendo’s sales too, as I’ve definitely decided to buy a game after having a fun play session with friends before.
As conceptually great as GameShare is,I’m still a little worried that it won’t be as exciting in practice as it is in theory. This comes down to how well the feature will be integrated into the Switch 2’s lineup of games. As of now, I’m a little worried we may not get to use the feature all that often.
Only Select Games Will Work With GameShare
Big Games Like Mario Kart World Might Not Get GameShare Functionality
According to the GameShare Overview from Nintendo,only certain games will be able to use the feature. While it’s good to see big titles likeSuper Mario 3D WorldandSuper Mario Odysseyon the list, I’m not convinced we will be seeing every game that would benefit from having GameShare actually get it. A good example isthe Switch 2 launch title,Mario Kart World.
Mario Kart Worldwould be the perfect candidate for GameShare, as theMario Kartseries has always made for fun local multiplayer experiences. However, there was no mention of the game having GameShare functionality during the Nintendo Direct, which leads me to believe it won’t have it. After all, what better way would there have been to get players excited about the feature than by showing off how it works withthe newMario Kartgame?
It’s still possibleMario Kart Worldcould have GameShare, but I’m not confident if it wasn’t previewed today.This also makes me less-than-confident that many big new releases will come standard with GameShare. My worry would be that it is something that is reserved for casual party games like1-2-Switch, and not featured in many other types of games. Still, there is some hope that the feature could end up being as extensive as I hope it can be.
Hopefully, GameShare Will Expand After Launch
GameShare Can Be Added Retroactively Via Updates According To Nintendo
One thing that made me hopeful about the future of GameShare is the fact that it is being added to games retroactively through software updates, andNintendo’s video promises that more titles will be including it in the future. Because games can be retrofitted to work with GameShare, this could mean that games may not launch with it, but have it added in later. This could mean that evenMario Kart Worldcould retroactively GameShare functionality after the initial wave of sales dies down.
I can see how GameShare could be a bit of a risk for Nintendo in terms of sales. After all, players may hold off buying a copy of a game before they try a friend’s, especially withSwitch 2 games costing as much as $80. However, I think I’d actually be more likely to pick up an expensive game if I’d already tried it out and knew I liked it. Hopefully, GameShare proves to be a big success for theSwitch 2and will continue to expand to more games in the future.
