Nintendo Switch firmware 6.0.0 out now, adds digital game sharing
After being leaked by dataminers, and then teased by Nintendo, the Switch's firmware 6.0 update, set to go live today, is now available to officially download. As noted before, this update focuses on preparing Switch consoles for the new online service. For the first three hours after the update becomes available, the eShop will go down for maintenance. Once that wraps up, you'll be free to buy a Nintendo Switch Online membership, start your free trial, and get to testing out the new features. In regards to the NES games, new information has rolled out, mentioning that players will have to download them all in bulk, together, in a ~60MB file. And don't worry, general system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience have been made.
Improvements Included in Version 6.0.0 (Distributed 9/18/2018)
Nintendo Switch Online* features and functionality have been added, including:
Added the following system functionality
- Save Data Cloud Backup
*Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online play. Not available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Save Data Cloud backup available in compatible games. Terms apply. To learn more, click here.
- User your internet connection to back up game save data for compatible games
- Some games are not compatible with Save Data Cloud
- To back up save data or download a previous backup, head to System Settings > Data Management > Save Data Cloud Backup
Removed the following system functionality
- Upload up to four Album screenshots at once on supported social network services
- Only one captured video can be uploaded at once
- Select from six new Captain Toad icons for your user
- To edit your user icon, head to your My Page on the top left of the Home Menu > Profile
- Play your digital software and content on non-primary consoles by linking your Nintendo Account
- The term "active console" has been renamed "primary console" in Nintendo eShops
- Playing software in multiple consoles has certain restrictions
- Display of Nintendo Switch News articles will be limited to match the restricted software parental controls setting selections
- Please note that the restriction will only apply to News articles distributed after the release of version 6.0.0.
- Change the layout of the USB keyboard to the desired language
- To change the language, head to the System Settings > System > USB Keyboard
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience, including:
- After installing the system update, it will no longer be possible to unlink your Nintendo Account from your Nintendo Switch user
- Compatibility improvements have been made for a controller licensed by Nintendo
Most notably, perhaps, is the new ability to digitally share games with other consoles. If you sign into another Switch account, you can set a console as Primary or Non-Primary. A non-primary account can even play games from the primary account, with the caveat that the primary console isn't playing any digital games, and that you're constantly online.
Key Points:
Primary Console:
- You can have one primary console at a time for your Nintendo Account.
- The first Nintendo Switch console you use to connect to Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch will become your primary console.
- While using the primary console, any user account on the console can play the downloadable content you have purchased.
- While using the primary console, you do not need to have an active Internet connection while playing downloadable software.
- An Internet connection is still required to use online features or games which require a subscription service.
- You can change which Nintendo Switch console is your primary console but you must first deactivate the current primary console.
Non-Primary Console:
- A Nintendo Account can be linked to Nintendo Switch consoles that are not designated as the primary console, however, some functionality differs from when a Nintendo Account is used on a primary console.
- While using a non-primary console, you can still use the Nintendo Account to access the Nintendo eShop, purchase and download software, and under certain conditions, play your downloadable software.
- While using a non-primary console, you must have an active Internet connection to play downloadable content.
- If you lose your Internet connection while playing downloadable content on a non-primary console, your game will pause after a certain amount of time; however, once you connect online again, you will be able to resume from the point you left off.
- While using a non-primary console, downloadable content can only be started by the user that purchased the content.
- When using downloadable software on a non-primary console, your game will pause if your Nintendo Account is used to access downloadable software on any other Nintendo Switch console.
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