Nintendo introduces virtual game cards for digital game sharing on Switch

Nintendo has simplified the way to share digital games between Switch consoles. As part of a firmware update 20.0.0 the console has a new feature called Virtual Game Cards. This is the first step towards a full-fledged system of digital game sharing between users, albeit with a number of limitations.

What are Virtual Game Cards

Virtual Game Cards is a new system that allows you to share downloaded games, DLC and even free software between Nintendo Switch consoles. There’s a separate icon on the home screen where you can choose what content you want to pass on to another user.

Previously, sharing required manually designating one console as «Primary» and another as «Secondary» with the second console having to be online at all times. The new system does away with this inconvenience – but with one important condition: exchange is only possible when the consoles are physically close to each other, i.e. it doesn’t work over the internet.

How the new sharing system works

• Load on Other System – allows you to temporarily load a game on another console if both are tied to the same account. It’s kind of an improved version of the old Primary/Secondary system.
• Lend to Family Group Member – allows you to transfer a game to a member of your Nintendo Switch Online family group. Important: consoles must be close together for direct connection.

Limitations on use:

• Game or DLC can be borrowed for a maximum of 14 days
• While a game is loaned, it is unavailable to the owner
• It is possible to lend no more than one game per person, up to a maximum of three users at the same time
• One user cannot have more than one borrowed game

Is Nintendo paving the way for Switch 2?”

With the launch of Nintendo Switch 2 scheduled for June 5, the 20.0.0 update could be the last major update for the original Switch. The expanded digital sharing capabilities look like preparation for a new ecosystem, where account functionality and content sharing could play a key role.

It’s still an open question as to how convenient the new system will prove to be in practice. On the one hand, it finally allows you to play borrowed games offline, but on the other hand, it doesn’t allow you to use a single copy on two devices at the same time.

The article Nintendo introduces virtual game cards for digital game sharing on Switch was first published on ITZine.ru.