Nintendo Debuts Virtual Game Card System

Nintendo's Virtual Game Card system has launched alongside the latest Switch update, introducing new privacy options for your digital collection. Players now have the ability to conceal specific game cards from view.

As demonstrated by an X/Twitter user, Virtual Game Cards can be hidden from your purchased list on Nintendo's VGC platform. This feature keeps selected games private regardless of your reasons.

During our testing, we successfully hid titles like Suikoken I&II HD Remaster and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. While hidden games remain visible if currently installed, they disappear from the list once uninstalled.

Currently, accessing hidden games requires navigating to "Redownload Software" and selecting "Can't Find Software?" after signing into your Nintendo account. The same process applies to the website version.

While this feature helps maintain privacy for shared consoles, the implementation involves some inconvenience. Players must unhide and redownload titles to play them again, and gameplay activity continues to appear in play logs.

The system could prove useful for parental controls or concealing mature-rated games during social gatherings. Beyond privacy features, the latest update includes redesigned icons, Switch 2 transfer preparation, and adjustments to game-sharing functionality.

For complete details on Nintendo's newest firmware update, explore our comprehensive coverage.