Second island, same game cartridge

[ameliajade26]

Hi, I have two switch consoles, a lite and a original. I started my island on the lite and I now want to start a second island on the main switch but wanted to make sure first that if I start a new game on a different switch but with the same game cartridge it won’t effect my original game on the lite console. Hope this makes sense just really worried about losing hundreds of hours of progress on my original island
Thanks!!

 

[Your Local Wild Child]

I’m not sure what exactly you’re asking about but I’m getting a physical copy for myself tomorrow (holding onto it for the switch lite I’m going to hunt for) because the copy we have is digital. I don’t think it’ll cause ya to lose your data but you might need to do some extra steps to switch from island to island.

 

[ameliajade26]

Sorry I’ve rambled a bit without being clear. Basically just want to know can I have 2 saves on the same game cartridge if I’m using a different switch for each game, hope that makes more sense

 

[Romaki]

Yeah, the Switch doesn't automatically transfer the save file from one console to the other even if you use the same account. You would have to transfer it manually.

 

[ameliajade26]

Ok so if my husband uses the same game cartridge I’ve been using to start his own island on the main switch it won’t effect my island on the switch lite? we could still both play on our own islands and characters just obviously not at the same time?

 

[Serabee]

I'm 99.9% sure you can. You can't transfer the data yet, but I believe the islands are saved to the Switch itself, NOT the game cartridge.

EDIT: Just to be clear, I'm pretty sure because I haven't done it myself (I don't have a physical copy, it's easier to do it with a physical one than a digital one) but I believe it's possible because I've heard of other people doing it.

 

[ameliajade26]

Thank you all for your help! He wants to start his own island after seeing me playing Mine all the time and if he can just use my cartridge in his switch it makes sense to save the money but obviously if it was going to risk my island I’d rather buy another one. He keeps hassling me to do it but want to be sure first

 

[Jindianajonz]

I don't know about overwriting saves, but remember, even if it does work you can't visit each other's islands. Takes some of the fun out of the game, and makes collaborative events like fishing and bug tourney's a little bit harder.

 

[ameliajade26]

I don't know about overwriting saves, but remember, even if it does work you can't visit each other's islands. Takes some of the fun out of the game, and makes collaborative events like fishing and bug tourney's a little bit harder.

True that’s a good point I didn’t even think of the tourneys. I think we’re just going to buy another copy so we can play together. Thank you all again