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As expected digital game purchases on Nintendo Switch can only be played on one system at a time – the “active” system linked to your Nintendo Account. However, users can change the active system for their Nintendo Account whenever they like.
Nintendo’s support site explains.
“Once you have created a Nintendo Account, you can use your Nintendo Account to purchase digital games in the Nintendo Switch eShop. Digital games that you purchase are tied to your Nintendo Account, but everyone on your active Nintendo Switch console can play them,” states Nintendo.
Up to eight Nintendo Accounts can be linked to Nintendo Switch at a time.
“If you want to move your digital games to a different system, you can deactivate your current console, then use your Nintendo Account to access the Nintendo eShop on the new console,” states Nintendo. “The new console will automatically become the active console for your Nintendo Account, and all of your digital games can be played on the new system.”
There is one glaring omission from Nintendo’s digital policy, however. Game saves – for both digital and retail games – cannot be transferred between systems. This is likely to cause major headaches for those who need to replace a Switch for whatever reason.
Some form of game save transfer functionality has to be high on the priority list for future Switch system updates.
Source: Nintendo
