Nintendo has announced a new feature called Virtual Game Cards, designed to make digitally downloaded games more portable across devices. This update, revealed on Thursday, comes ahead of the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 and aims to simplify the process of transferring existing Switch games to new hardware.
Currently, Nintendo Switch games are available in two formats: physical game cards (similar to traditional cartridges) and digital downloads. While physical copies can be easily swapped between consoles, digital purchases are tied to a single device, making it less convenient to switch between systems.
Set to launch in late April, Virtual Game Cards will allow digitally owned games to function like physical cartridges, enabling players to migrate their titles between consoles with a one-time local connection.
One of the standout features of Virtual Game Cards is the ability to lend games within a Nintendo Family Group, which supports up to eight users. Players can share a game via local Wi-Fi, with each borrowed title available for a 14-day period before automatically returning to the lender. However, only one game can be loaned to a user at a time.
While Nintendo has not yet revealed an official release date for the Nintendo Switch 2, fans are eagerly anticipating news from the upcoming Nintendo Direct livestream on April 2. With Virtual Game Cards making it easier to transition digital libraries to new hardware, speculation is growing that Nintendo is laying the groundwork for its next-generation console.
