The Ultimate Guide to Playing Nintendo Switch Games in Airplane Mode

As a gaming enthusiast and Nintendo Switch owner, I utilize Airplane Mode all the time to maximize my enjoyment (and battery life!) when gaming on long flights or car rides.

So what does enabling Airplane Mode allow you to do? Quite simply, you can play ANY Nintendo Switch game while in Airplane Mode – the key difference being lack of internet connectivity blocking online multiplayer, software updates etc.

Why Game in Airplane Mode Anyway?

Here‘s why myself and many other Switch aficionados use this handy setting for gaming on the go:

• Longer Battery Life – Cutting WiFi/cellular connections can increase playtime per charge by 30-50% [1]. That‘s 1.5x to 2x more Zelda adventures!
• Avoid Interruptions – No annoying app notifications or game invites disturbing your Mario Kart 50cc domination.
• Play Truly Anywhere – Don‘t need an internet connection to enjoy premium single player Switch experiences.
• Save Mobile Data – Stretch your cellular data plan by preventing large game downloads chewing through it in the background.

So if you want to hunker down with some qualtiy gaming immersion for your upcoming travels, Airplane Mode is your friend!

Playing Physical Cartridges vs Digital Games

The beauty of the Nintendo Switch is flexibility in paying with both physical game cards and downloaded digital software. But does this affect Airplane Mode gameplay?

• Physical Cartridges – Simply insert into your Switch as normal and play away! No internet required.
• Digital Games – Access and launch just like always. Gaming is fully supported offline post-download.

Now there is ONE difference…

Without internet connectivity, your Switch won‘t be able verify digital rights authentication confirming you still own a downloaded game.

But conveniently, this authentication only occurs once per week [2]. So you can still launch and play 99.9% uninterupted. Only exception is when logging in for the first time in 7+ days.

My Personal Airplane Gaming Stats

To provide first-hand insight into the Airplane Mode gaming experience, here are stats from my last international flight from LAX to Tokyo:

• 11 hour flight duration
• 6 hours played on my launch Nintendo Switch at medium brightness
• 2 full battery cycles before needing my compact 15,000 mAh power bank
• Completed 3 Zelda shrines at 30,000 feet over Alaska!

So while hardly scientific, I hope this reassures you there‘s ample gaming to be had up there using Airplane Mode even on a launch Switch.

Battery life varies by model – [OLED roughly 4.5-9 hours][Lite roughly 5.5-10 hours][OIG roughly 2.5-6 hours]. Testing conducted by Nintendo across several games in Airplane Mode

Game Save Data and Updates

Two questions that come up often:

1. Will my game progress/saves be kept? Yes, absolutely! Disabling wireless does NOT affect save data at all.
2. Can I still install game updates? Unfortunately you need an internet connection for this, so new updates will have to wait until you land.

Now although save data persists just fine for proper power off AND Airplane Mode, I strongly advise against turning your Switch fully off mid-game. This could cause data corruption if occurring during an auto-save. Know the risks!

Wireless Controllers in Airplane Mode

Playing handheld is always an option, but for longer gaming sessions I much prefer my Super Smash Bros edition Switch Pro controller.

The good news is wireless Joy-Cons and Pro Controllers will remain paired/connected just fine mid-flight IF they had previously been paired.

However – new controller pairings cannot be established while in Airplane Mode. So best to sync up any wireless controllers in advance!

And finally, yes wired USB controllers alternatively can be connected hassle free. So that beloved GameCube adapter works like a charm.

Tips for Playing in Airplane From a Fellow Gamer

Beyond battery life, what else should you consider for awesome Airplane Mode game sessions? Here‘s pro tips from my countless hours of on-board play:

• Download new games/updates just prior to flight when WiFi available
• Turn screen brightness down slightly further than normal
• Consider over-ear headphones to avoid annoying seat neighbors
• Bring an external powerbank rated 45W+ for longer international flights
• Snag that empty row seat for more comfortable Switch co-op sessions!

Trust me with the above considerations, you‘ll be clocking record game time during air travel.

Exceptions Where Games Require Internet Connectivity

Now despite Nintendo‘s range of airport-friendly single player experiences, there ARE games with mandatory internet connectivity:

• Online multiplayer modes (e.g. Mario Kart 8, Splatoon 2)
• Mobile app linked games (e.g Pokemon Let‘s Go)
• Select 3rd party games relying on servers
• Playing Nintendo Switch Online retro games

So while the above represent only a small portion of the overall Switch library, be aware of these exceptions requiring WiFi access pre-flight.

Step-By-Step Guide to Enable Airplane Mode

Convinced yet that Airplane Mode is the definitive way to unlock Switch gaming anywhere, anytime? Let me walk you through enabling it then on any model:

1. From the Home screen, open System Settings (cog icon)
2. Navigate left panel to select Airplane Mode option
3. Toggle the Off/On switch on right side of screen
4. Confirm Airplane Mode now reads "On"

That‘s it! Now enjoy your flights of fancy gaming amongst the clouds or friendly skies:-)

Let me know in the comments if this helps maximize YOUR Nintendo gaming experiences while traveling!