Switch 2 will have a game with local multiplayer using only one copy

Amid speculations about the release of the Switch 2, an important technical information has been gaining attention: one of the planned titles for the launch of the new console will allow local multiplayer for up to three players using only one copy of the game. The functionality, which is still rare among modern platforms, marks a distinct approach by Nintendo regarding the cost-benefit of cooperative experiences.

The proposal, according to information released in May of 2025, is to enable complete local multiplayer matches without the requirement of multiple licenses for the same title, something that can represent a financial relief for families and groups of friends. Still unnamed, the game is among the first confirmed titles for the Switch 2, which also promises substantial hardware improvements, such as:

Custom processor with NVIDIA Ampere architecture;

8-inch OLED screen with portable 1080p support;

Dock with 4K output and integrated DLSS technology;

256GB internal storage with microSD expansion.

The choice to include this type of feature in the initial release seems strategic. With game and console prices on the rise, especially after the adjustments of 2023 and 2024, making cooperative experiences more accessible can significantly expand the user base of the new hardware. In a market where the average price of releases exceeds US$ 70, avoiding duplicate purchases represents a competitive advantage.

"Our goal with the new system is to make group play more accessible, immediate, and fun," declared a source close to the Nintendo development team.

This functionality also contrasts with recent decisions by other manufacturers, who have limited local experience in favor of online focus. Nintendo, in this sense, reinforces its commitment to face-to-face interaction, one of the pillars since the launch of the original Switch in 2017, with games like Super Mario Party and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

The official release date of the Switch 2 has not been confirmed yet, but rumors point to November 2025, with a launch package containing at least three proprietary games and support for retrocompatible titles. It remains to be seen if this approach of local sharing will be adopted in other games from the initial catalog or if it will be an exception.

Until more details are revealed, the confirmation of the cooperation feature with a single copy signals that Nintendo maintains its focus on social and accessible experiences - a direct response to the pressures of a market that demands innovation, but also inclusion.