Question for people with two islands/two Switches

[kayleee]

For anyone who has two islands accross two Switches, I just have a couple questions about the best way to go about it. I have one physical copy of New Horizons.

Basically I have my primary Switch with my main new Horizons Island and all my other games, and a secondary Switch that I am going to use solely for a second New Horizons island. My questions is essentially, what is the best way to go about having two islands? Should I link the same Nintendo account to both consoles, or should I have two Nintendo accounts, one for each island? I don't want the save data or backup data of either to be compromised by having them share the same Nintendo account, but I'm not really sure how it works so maybe that's not even possible.

And again, I have one physical copy of New Horizons, so I know I'll have to switch the cartridge between the two consoles. I don't really want to purchase multiple copies of the game so I know I won't be able to trade between my own two islands... but as far as online playing goes, if I use the same Nintendo account on both consoles, will they both be able to use the online functionality? Will they share the same FC? Does it make more sense to pay for a second online membership for a second Nintendo account?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Berrymia]

Here’s how I’m doing it!

I bought NH from the eshop.
I linked my new switch to the same account im using for my main switch. Then I downloaded the game again for free from the eshop. I don’t know how it works when you only have the physical copy.
Then I just started a new game on my new switch.
I used the island transfer app too to swap my main island onto the new switch and the new island to my old switch and it was super uncomplicated.
I hope this helps a bit!

 

[Moritz]

I would put the second island under a different nintendo account as I could not play with myself otherwise.
I know you don't plan on it right now but should you change your mind later there could be issues.

Also, I wouldn't be shocked it there were back up issues.

 

[LoserMom]

Since you’re playing with a physical copy, I’d just use the same Nintendo account. If you were playing on a digital copy then I would make a second account incase you ever wanted one character to travel to the other switch’s island

 

[kayleee]

Here’s how I’m doing it!

I bought NH from the eshop.
I linked my new switch to the same account im using for my main switch. Then I downloaded the game again for free from the eshop. I don’t know how it works when you only have the physical copy.
Then I just started a new game on my new switch.
I used the island transfer app too to swap my main island onto the new switch and the new island to my old switch and it was super uncomplicated.
I hope this helps a bit!

Ah okay, so the island backups didn't override each other despite being attached to the same Nintendo account? That is interesting, good to know. Are you able to visit your other island via local play?

I would put the second island under a different nintendo account as I could not play with myself otherwise.
I know you don't plan on it right now but should you change your mind later there could be issues.

Also, I wouldn't be shocked it there were back up issues.

Yeah the backup issue is mostly what I'm worried about, but it seemed to work for Berrymia... I just don't understand how the island cloud saves wouldn't override each other, and I feel scared to attempt it since I don't understand it lol.

Since you’re playing with a physical copy, I’d just use the same Nintendo account. If you were playing on a digital copy then I would make a second account incase you ever wanted one character to travel to the other switch’s island

Okay, yeah obviously I can't have my characters visit each others' islands but that doesn't bother me too much. But then again like Moritz said, if I ever change my mind about wanting to visit my other island/buying a second copy of NH I might not be able to do that if they are both linked to the same account.

Thanks for your replies you guys! Unfortunately I still have no idea what I'm going to do LOL

 

[Berrymia]

Ah okay, so the island backups didn't override each other despite being attached to the same Nintendo account? That is interesting, good to know. Are you able to visit your other island via local play?

Yeah the backup issue is mostly what I'm worried about, but it seemed to work for Berrymia... I just don't understand how the island cloud saves wouldn't override each other, and I feel scared to attempt it since I don't understand it lol.

Okay, yeah obviously I can't have my characters visit each others' islands but that doesn't bother me too much. But then again like Moritz said, if I ever change my mind about wanting to visit my other island/buying a second copy of NH I might not be able to do that if they are both linked to the same account.

Thanks for your replies you guys! Unfortunately I still have no idea what I'm going to do LOL

Yeah I had no problems personally, maybe Bc the copy was digital?
Unfortunately you can’t visit yourself locally BUT if you find a friend with a family switch online plan who puts you on it you can create a new person on your switch and link this person to a new Nintendo account and use that online membership.
Then you can visit yourself online lol. One person has to be your main person and the other person is on the other account with online membership. I know it sounds complicated lol

 

[azurill]

Depends on what you want to use your second island for. I got a second switch and a second copy of the game. I also used a different profile for my second switch. I got my second island so I could swap villagers between islands. If you eventually want to visit your second island I would get a second copy and second profile.

 

[VanitasFan26]

Yeah I had no problems personally, maybe Bc the copy was digital?
Unfortunately you can’t visit yourself locally BUT if you find a friend with a family switch online plan who puts you on it you can create a new person on your switch and link this person to a new Nintendo account and use that online membership.
Then you can visit yourself online lol. One person has to be your main person and the other person is on the other account with online membership. I know it sounds complicated lol

Yeah if you really wanted to visit yourself, it needs to be a different account, on the 2nd switch, with a copy of the game. Like they said pretty complicated.

 

[Berrymia]

Yeah if you really wanted to visit yourself, it needs to be a different account, on the 2nd switch, with a copy of the game. Like they said pretty complicated.

But don’t be discouraged. I suck at stuff like that and somehow made it work lol. I can help you you if you’re ever interested in doing that

 

[kayleee]

Depends on what you want to use your second island for. I got a second switch and a second copy of the game. I also used a different profile for my second switch. I got my second island so I could swap villagers between islands. If you eventually want to visit your second island I would get a second copy and second profile.

Gotcha; my main intent with the second island is to just play through the game without trading a bunch, at the moment I'm not really wanting to trade between my two islands, but that could obviously change once I start playing... and I do want to avoid buying a second copy of the game lol. I could see myself eventually wanting to trade online with other people though, which would mean if I made a second profile I would have to pay for the Nintendo online service again.

Yeah if you really wanted to visit yourself, it needs to be a different account, on the 2nd switch, with a copy of the game. Like they said pretty complicated.

Yeah I think at this point I think I'll be more interested in trading with people online vs. trading between my two islands, because I can't see myself buying a second copy of the game anytime soon.

 

[VanitasFan26]

Gotcha; my main intent with the second island is to just play through the game without trading a bunch, at the moment I'm not really wanting to trade between my two islands, but that could obviously change once I start playing... and I do want to avoid buying a second copy of the game lol. I could see myself eventually wanting to trade online with other people though, which would mean if I made a second profile I would have to pay for the Nintendo online service again.

Yeah I think at this point I think I'll be more interested in trading with people online vs. trading between my two islands, because I can't see myself buying a second copy of the game anytime soon.

Can't say I blame you. This would not be so bad if Nintendo would've added the feature to create a 2nd island on one switch. This is something even to this day that still bothers me, because I wanted to have a new island, but I forced myself not to restart and to not waste any money buying a 2nd switch or a 2nd copy of the game. It just seemed too much and I don't see myself doing it anytime soon.

 

[kayleee]

I edited the OP a bit, I've decided I don't really want to buy another copy of New Horizons atm so obviously won't be able to trade between my two islands, but I'm okay with that. Now I'm still wondering if I should use the same Nintendo account or make a new one if I want to trade online from the second switch.

 

[VanitasFan26]

I edited the OP a bit, I've decided I don't really want to buy another copy of New Horizons atm so obviously won't be able to trade between my two islands, but I'm okay with that. Now I'm still wondering if I should use the same Nintendo account or make a new one if I want to trade online from the second switch.

Sadly you still need to get a different online membership on the 2nd account if you really wanted to play with others online. Even if you tried using your main account it will not work since it still has your old island that you don't want to trade on. It sounds confusing I know, but the way they have it setup it makes it harder to even do it. Also you need to always be connected to internet to play local with yourself, it will not work if you don't have an active connection. I know in the game they make it seem like they will "turn off the internet" but that is a lie you actually need to have your connection active.

 

[kayleee]

Can't say I blame you. This would not be so bad if Nintendo would've added the feature to create a 2nd island on one switch. This is something even to this day that still bothers me, because I wanted to have a new island, but I forced myself not to restart and to not waste any money buying a 2nd switch or a 2nd copy of the game. It just seemed too much and I don't see myself doing it anytime soon.

Yeah I totally understand. The only reason I'm even considering a second island is because my friend wanted to get rid of his Switch and sold it to me for suuuuuper cheap. Otherwise I couldn't see myself buying a second Switch at retail price AND a second copy of the game. I really wish Switches could have multiple islands, or at least be like New Leaf where each cartridge was it's own island. It was still annoying having multiple copies of that game but at least it was way more affordable than buying a whole second console lol

 

[Cottonball]

thanks for asking this question im thinking of using my bfs switch for a new island and this helped me hehe

 

[azurill]

Gotcha; my main intent with the second island is to just play through the game without trading a bunch, at the moment I'm not really wanting to trade between my two islands, but that could obviously change once I start playing... and I do want to avoid buying a second copy of the game lol. I could see myself eventually wanting to trade online with other people though, which would mean if I made a second profile I would have to pay for the Nintendo online service again.

Yea my main intent with my second island was villager swapping and swapping nook mile items. It was also nice when I was buying turnips better chances of getting a good price for selling with two islands. If you eventually want to trade between islands and get second copy, you could also make a second character on the second island for trades between islands. I eventually made a second character with my profile from my main switch so I could get a dream address for my second island. This way I didn’t need another Nintendo subscription.

 

[kayleee]

Yea my main intent with my second island was villager swapping and swapping nook mile items. It was also nice when I was buying turnips better chances of getting a good price for selling with two islands. If you eventually want to trade between islands and get second copy, you could also make a second character on the second island for trades between islands. I eventually made a second character with my profile from my main switch so I could get a dream address for my second island. This way I didn’t need another Nintendo subscription.

Ah okay this is confusing; so you used Nintendo account A on Switch A, Nintendo account B on Switch B, and then made a second character on Switch B with Nintendo account A in order to make a dream address without a second Nintendo subscription? Can you also trade online from Switch B (but I assume only with your second character?) Haha wow there's even more to this than I thought.

 

[Azrael]

I have two switches and two copies of the game (one digital and one physical). The other switch belongs to my fiancé and he has his own Nintendo account so I didn’t need to link mine.
I like having two copies of the same so that way I can travel between the two islands and what not.
I have the family Nintendo subscription because it was cheaper than buying two single subscriptions.

 

[azurill]

Ah okay this is confusing; so you used Nintendo account A on Switch A, Nintendo account B on Switch B, and then made a second character on Switch B with Nintendo account A in order to make a dream address without a second Nintendo subscription? Can you also trade online from Switch B (but I assume only with your second character?) Haha wow there's even more to this than I thought.

Yea it’s gets a little complicated. Yes that’s exactly what I did. I have not traded online with the island on switch B yet. So far just used it to make the dream address. I’m pretty sure you can do online trades as well but I can open that island later tonight and see if works.

 

[kayleee]

Yea it’s gets a little complicated. Yes that’s exactly what I did. I have not traded online with the island on switch B yet. So far just used it to make the dream address. I’m pretty sure you can do online trades as well but I can open that island later tonight and see if works.

I'm thinking I'll do the same thing then when I get my second Switch! Thank you for your insights. And if you do happen to try out online trading with your second character, let me know how that goes!