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Virtual Game Cards is a new way to share digital games between Switch consoles

Switch 1 and Switch 2 owners can send games across consoles and lend them to friends with Virtual Game Cards.

March 27, 2025 7:44 AM

The latest Nintendo Direct included an announcement regarding Nintendo’s virtual game ecosystem. The company is introducing Virtual Game Cards as a new way to manage digital libraries on the Switch 1 and Switch 2. Players will be able to determine which games are playable on what systems, and even lend games to their friends for a limited time.

Virtual Game Cards are designed to work just as flexibly as physical cartridges. As Nintendo explains in their video, players can take a Virtual Game Card from one console, and transfer it to another. The two systems will need to locally connect the first time that a game card is exchanged, but not on any subsequent transfers.

Players will also be able to lend games to members of their Nintendo Family group members. The player receiving the game will have full access to the title, as if they own it. Only one game can be lent to a person at a time, and the maximum length a game can be lended is 14 days.

Nintendo Virtual Game Cards will be available on the Nintendo Switch 1 and Switch 2. It’ll be added in an April software update. Other announcements from today’s Nintendo Direct include new Metroid Prime 4 details and a new app for Nintendo news.

Donovan Erskine

News Editor

Donovan is a journalist from Maryland. His oldest gaming memory is playing Pajama Sam on his mom's desktop during weekends. Pokémon Emerald, Halo 2, and the original Star Wars Battlefront 2 were some of the most influential titles in awakening his love for video games. After interning for Shacknews throughout college, Donovan graduated from Bowie State University in 2020 with a major in broadcast journalism and joined the team full-time. He is a huge film fanatic and will talk with you about movies and games all day. You can follow him on twitter @Donimals_

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Shacknews

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March 27, 2025 7:44 AM

Donovan Erskine posted a new article, Virtual Game Cards is a new way to share digital games between Switch consoles
- beardedaxe
  
   reply
  March 27, 2025 9:30 AM
  
  this is the biggest news out of the show
- JohnnyChugs
  
   reply
  March 27, 2025 9:55 AM
  
  Arguably, this is a model that should have been introduced years ago, but I don't think the companies that have invested in DRM will ever switch to it at this point.
  - zunizefoya
    
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    April 30, 2025 7:59 AM
    
    Virtual Game Cards are an innovative way to share digital games between Nintendo Switch consoles, offering gamers more flexibility and convenience. Instead of using physical cartridges, players can now transfer game access digitally, making it easier to share titles with friends or family. This system could revolutionize how we manage game libraries, especially for those with multiple devices. Just like tracking winnings at <a href="https://playsafehu.com/casinos/bison-casino/">bison casino kifizetés</a>, keeping tabs on shared games becomes simpler and more efficient. Virtual Game Cards are a smart step toward a more connected and streamlined gaming future.