Nintendo Introduces Digital Game Sharing with Virtual Game Cards

Nintendo has announced during its March Nintendo Direct new feature that promises to bring added flexibility to digital game ownership on the Nintendo Switch platform. The upcoming Virtual Game Cards system, set to launch in late April via a hardware system update, will introduce a new approach to how players manage and share their digital game libraries.

The new feature allows Nintendo Switch users to “eject” digital games from one system and “load” them onto another, mimicking the physical game card experience. This approach offers several key benefits, including the ability to transfer digital games between two systems linked to the same Nintendo Account, share games with Nintendo Account family group members via local wireless connection, and allow borrowed games to be played for up to two weeks before automatically returning to the original owner.

The lending process is straightforward. Users can lend one game per account for 14 days, retain save data even after the game is returned, and will need both local wireless and internet connection for game sharing. However, Nintendo has noted some restrictions: virtual game cards may not work with game demos, some Nintendo Switch Online exclusive games cannot be lent, and both systems must be connected to the internet during the lending process.

Notably, the virtual game card feature will be compatible with both current Nintendo Switch systems and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, ensuring longevity for the new sharing mechanism. This update represents a meaningful step towards making digital game ownership more flexible and user-friendly, providing Nintendo Switch users with more convenient ways to manage their game libraries.

Nintendo Switch users can look forward to experiencing this new feature when the hardware system update rolls out in late April, offering a fresh approach to digital game management and sharing.

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