Nintendo introduces Virtual Game Card, enabling game exchanges between consoles.


March 28, 2025 by our News Team

Nintendo introduces Virtual Game Cards for the Nintendo Switch, allowing players to digitally share and trade games between consoles and family members, bringing back the nostalgia of physical cartridges in a modern form.

  • Brings back nostalgia of physical game cartridges
  • Allows for easy sharing of games between consoles
  • Can be shared with family members through Nintendo Family accounts


Nintendo held its highly anticipated Nintendo Direct event today, and boy, did they have some surprises in store for us! One of the biggest announcements was the introduction of Virtual Game Cards, a digital version of the old-school game cartridges that many of us grew up with.

So, what exactly are these Virtual Game Cards? Well, when you purchase a game for your Nintendo Switch, you’ll also receive a Virtual Game Card. These cards can be “inserted and removed” from the console’s software, just like physical cartridges. It’s like having the best of both worlds!

But here’s where it gets really interesting. Nintendo is taking things a step further by allowing players to trade these virtual game cards between different consoles. Let’s say you have more than one Switch or want to share games with your friends. All you have to do is eject the Virtual Game Card from one console and insert it into another. Of course, you’ll need to establish a local network connection between the two consoles the first time you use the virtual card, but after that, you can go online and enjoy the game.

And that’s not all! Nintendo plans to roll out a feature that will allow users with Nintendo Family accounts to share virtual game cards with other family members. This means you can lend a game to your sibling or cousin and they can play it on their own console. Sharing is caring, after all!

Now, you might be wondering, what happens when you lend a game to someone? Well, the borrowed game can stay on their console for up to 14 days. After that, it will automatically return to your console. But don’t worry, any saved progress will remain on their console in case they want to borrow the game again in the future. It’s a win-win situation!

In a nutshell, Nintendo is bringing back the nostalgia of physical game cartridges in a digital form. With Virtual Game Cards, you can not only enjoy your games on multiple consoles but also share the fun with friends and family. This exciting feature will be available for all Nintendo Switch users in April, and we can only hope that it will also be compatible with the rumored Nintendo Switch 2.

So, get ready to dive into a world of virtual gaming goodness. Nintendo is once again pushing the boundaries and giving us innovative ways to enjoy our favorite games. Who needs physical cartridges when you have Virtual Game Cards? It’s time to level up!

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Background Information


About Nintendo:

Nintendo, a important Japanese multinational consumer electronics and video game company, has left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape. Established in 1889, Nintendo has evolved from producing playing cards to becoming a gaming giant that has introduced some of the most beloved and enduring franchises in the industry, including Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon. With a rich history of innovation, Nintendo has consistently pushed boundaries, leading to the creation of iconic gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch, which offers a unique hybrid gaming experience.

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