So, you’ve got a group of friends, a couple of Switches, and everyone wants to play Mario Kart without buying four separate copies of the game. It makes sense. Honestly, spending $60 a pop for every single person in the house is a tough pill to swallow. You've likely heard people talking about how to gameshare Mario Kart World—which, to be clear, usually refers to the massive Mario Kart 8 Deluxe experience on the Nintendo Switch—but the actual process is way more finicky than Sony or Microsoft’s versions.
Nintendo is notoriously protective. They don't just "let" you share; they provide a loophole that you have to exploit with precision.
If you’re looking to get your friends or siblings into the race without the extra cost, you have to understand the "Primary" and "Secondary" console system. It’s the backbone of the whole operation. Basically, your digital purchases aren't just tied to your account; they are tied to whichever console your account calls "Home."
The Secret Logic of Primary and Secondary Switches
Most people think you just log in and download. Nope. It doesn't work like that. If you want to know how to gameshare Mario Kart World, you have to start by de-registering your own console.
Here is the weird part. On your own "Primary" console, anyone can play your games. Your roommate, your little brother, even a guest account. But on a "Secondary" console, only you can play your games, and you must have an active internet connection to verify the license.
To make gamesharing work, you essentially have to swap roles. You make your friend’s Switch your "Primary" console. Now, because it’s your Primary, your friend can log into their own account and play your copy of Mario Kart. Meanwhile, you go back to your own Switch—which is now your "Secondary"—and play the game while logged into your own profile.
It feels a little backwards. It is. But it’s the only way to have two people playing the same digital copy at the exact same time.
Setting Up Your Mario Kart Gameshare Step-by-Step
First, grab the Switch that actually owns the game. Open the Nintendo eShop. Tap your user icon in the top right. Scroll down until you see "Primary Console." You’ll need to hit "Deregister."
Now, go to your friend’s Switch. Log in with your account. The moment you open the eShop on their device, it automatically becomes your new Primary console. Download Mario Kart 8 Deluxe from your "Redownload" list.
Your friend can now play Mario Kart on their own profile. They get their own save data, their own online rank, and their own unlocks.
Back on your original console, you can still play. Just remember: you need Wi-Fi. If you’re on a plane or a bus without a hotspot, the game won't launch because the Switch needs to "check in" with Nintendo’s servers to make sure you aren't trying to pull a fast one.
The DLC Complication: Booster Course Pass
Things get spicy when you add the Booster Course Pass. If you’re trying to share the 48 extra tracks, the same rules apply. If your friend is using your Primary console, they get the DLC too. However, if you are a member of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, sharing becomes a lot more restrictive.
Local wireless play is a nightmare with this setup.
If you try to play "Local Wireless" mode between two Switches using the same digital copy, the system will often boot one of you out. Why? Because the system detects the same license being used in close proximity. To bypass this, you both need to play in "Online Play" mode, even if you are sitting on the same couch. Create a private room and have your friend join you there. It uses more bandwidth, but it actually works.
Why This Method Might Not Be For Everyone
There are risks. Real ones. Giving someone your login info is a huge deal. You’re handing over your credit card info, your points, and your entire library. Only do this with someone you’d trust with your physical wallet.
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Also, the "Secondary" console experience sucks if you travel a lot. Imagine being stuck on a 6-hour flight only to realize you can't play the game you paid for because you don't have a signal to verify the license. That's the price you pay for gamesharing.
And honestly, if you have three friends? Forget it. This only works for two people. Nintendo hasn't moved to a "Family Library" system like Steam has.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
If your friend sees a message saying "This software cannot be played," it usually means you haven't actually deregistered your original console properly. You can do this remotely once a year via Nintendo's website if you don't have the console in your hands, but it’s a "one and done" button. Use it wisely.
Another issue: Save data. Your save data doesn't move just because the license moved. If you start playing on a new Switch, you’ll need to use the "Transfer Your Save Data" tool or have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to pull your progress from the cloud. Mario Kart doesn't take long to unlock everything, but losing your 3-star ratings on 200cc is enough to make anyone want to throw a blue shell at a wall.
The Future of Sharing in Mario Kart World
Rumors about the "Switch 2" or whatever Nintendo calls their next hardware suggest a more robust account system. But for now, we are stuck with this Primary/Secondary dance. It’s clunky. It’s very 2017. Yet, it saves you $60.
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For those trying to how to gameshare Mario Kart World across different regions, be careful. If you bought the game on a Japanese account but your friend is in the US, the DLC must match the region of the base game. If there's a mismatch, the game will launch but the extra tracks will be missing. Stick to the same eShop region to avoid a massive headache.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your Primary status: Go to the eShop on your main Switch and verify if it's currently set as the Primary. If you've ever sent your Switch in for repair, this might have changed without you knowing.
- Audit your Friend List: Before sharing, make sure you have Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) enabled on your Nintendo account. It’s found in the "Sign-in and Security settings" on the official Nintendo website.
- Coordinate the download: The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe file size is roughly 7-8 GB, but with the DLC, it pushes closer to 12 GB. Ensure your friend has enough microSD card space before you start the transfer process.
- Set up a "Testing" race: Once the share is active, both of you should try entering an Online Worldwide race simultaneously to ensure the licenses aren't clashing and the "Secondary" console's internet check is stable.