Nintendo Switch update adds virtual game cards, enables sharing

Nintendo has published a brand-new firmware update for Switch consoles, which prepares them for a world in which their successor exists. Switch owners’ media libraries are now filled with the new virtual game cards to unify existing purchases and downloads with upcoming ones. These virtual game cards can be shared between up to two Switch systems as well as lent to members of the same Nintendo Account family group.

The groundwork has also been laid for the Switch 2’s GameShare function alongside a couple of new settings and icon changes.

Find the full Nintendo Switch Version 20.0.0 patch notes below.

Nintendo Switch Version 20.0.0 patch notes

Virtual Game Card:

• Purchased Nintendo Switch digital software, DLC, and some free software, are now virtual game cards and displayed in a list in this menu.
• You can virtually load and eject virtual game cards between up to two Nintendo Switch systems.
• Virtual game cards can be lent to others in the same Nintendo Account family group.

GameShare:

• Compatible software can be shared from a Nintendo Switch 2 system to other nearby system(s) to play together. 
• You can only play together via local wireless, and the Nintendo Switch 2 system must initiate GameShare.
• This feature cannot be used between two Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model and/or Nintendo Switch Lite systems.

User-Verification Settings has been added under User > User Settings:

• You can restrict access to the Virtual Game Card menu by requiring entry of a PIN or signing in to your Nintendo Account.

Online License Settings has been added:

• When turned on, you can play downloaded software or DLC you've purchased while the system is connected to the internet, even if you don't have the virtual game card loaded.

Icon changes:

• The Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch News icon colors on the HOME Menu have been changed.

Save data:

• Multiple save data can be selected and transferred at once in “Transfer Your Save Data” menu.

System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2 has been added under System Settings > System:

• You can perform a system transfer from your Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 using local communication.
• For users that will lose access to their Nintendo Switch before receiving their Nintendo Switch 2, there is an option to upload system transfer data to a dedicated server which can then be retrieved on their Nintendo Switch 2. After you upload your system transfer data to the dedicated server, the Nintendo Switch system will be initialized to factory settings, so only perform this transfer if you’ll be able to complete the transfer on Nintendo Switch 2.
• If you want to continue using your Nintendo Switch until you have a Nintendo Switch 2, we recommend completing the system transfer using local communication after you have acquired a Nintendo Switch 2 system. 
• An internet connection and Nintendo Account is required to complete both local and the server-based system transfer service.

• Note that the use of “Primary Console” has been deprecated with the transition to virtual game cards, and “Pass-enabled console” will be used instead. On a console set as the “Pass-enabled console” for a user, all users on the console can access certain subscriptions or passes for some software.