Nintendo Switch Gets Major Update, Here's What's Changing

A few weeks before the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 which will be available from June 5, 2025, a major update has just been deployed for the first console's system. While it's not uncommon to see the user interface updated, such an update remains quite exceptional. Nintendo is preparing the ground and optimizing its ecosystem before the arrival of its new machine, which will obviously be added to the whole. On the menu of this big patch, we can note the arrival of several features including the famous virtual cards, touted during a recent Nintendo Direct, but also a whole host of other additions. We're taking a look at the new features.

A big update for the entire Nintendo Switch system

The major addition of this new update is obviously the arrival of virtual game cards, a rather vague feature, but one that Nintendo seems so proud of. It allows owners of digital games to use their software like physical games. All games purchased digitally will now be transformed into virtual game cards and stored in a dedicated library accessible via the HOME menu. In this menu, you will be able to load games onto your console, or other machines on the fly.

This will also allow you to lend your games to other users in just a few clicks for a limited time. The only downside is that they cannot be duplicated. If you lend a digital game to a loved one, you won't be able to play it yourself; they'll have to return it to you. It sounds strange, but it works exactly like lending physical games.

Added to this is Gameshare, a feature dedicated to the Nintendo Switch 2 that lets you share your games live via local wireless mode so you can play together without needing multiple games. Nintendo Switch 1 consoles, on the other hand, will only be able to receive, but not transmit.

Official Patch Notes

• Virtual Game Cards
  • Digital software, downloadable content, and free software that you have downloaded now function as Virtual Game Cards, a list of which is displayed in this menu.
  • You can load and eject your Virtual Game Cards on up to two linked consoles.
  • You can lend your Virtual Game Cards to other members of your Nintendo Account family group.
• GameShare
  • From a Nintendo Switch 2 console, you can share software with other nearby consoles to play together.
  • You can only play this way using the local wireless communication of a Nintendo Switch 2 console.
  • This feature cannot be used between multiple Nintendo Switch consoles.

Other features are coming, including data transfer for Switch 2

Other features, such as new security settings related to virtual game cards for online license management, have been added. But the other major benefit of this update is undoubtedly the data transfer to the Nintendo Switch 2. So yes, the machine isn't available yet, but at least everything is ready to welcome it. Thanks to this menu, you'll be able to migrate all the content from your Nintendo Switch to your new console. Obviously, don't try launching anything without having your new console in your hands, you never know. Finally, we'll note the design changes of some user icons.

Official patch notes for data transfer

• The Data Transfer option to a Nintendo Switch 2 console has been added in Console Settings > Console.
• You can transfer data from your Nintendo Switch console to a Nintendo Switch 2 console using local wireless communication.
• If you are going to lose access to your Nintendo Switch console before getting your Nintendo Switch 2 console, you have the option to back up your data to a dedicated server, from where you can then transfer it to your Nintendo Switch 2 console. Once you have saved your data to the dedicated server, your Nintendo Switch console will be reset, so only do this if you are certain that you can transfer your data to a Nintendo Switch 2 console.
• If you want to continue using your Nintendo Switch console, we recommend waiting until you get a Nintendo Switch 2 console before transferring data via local wireless communication.
• An internet connection and a Nintendo Account are required to complete the data transfer.

Official Patch Notes for the rest of the new features

• The Settings section Identity verification has been added in User > User Settings.
  • You can restrict access to the Virtual Game Card menu by requiring a PIN or logging into your Nintendo Account.
• The Online License Settings section has been added.
  • When this option is enabled, you can use downloaded software and downloadable content you have purchased as long as the console is connected to the internet, even if the Virtual Game Card is not loaded.
  • For more information, see the information available on the System Settings screen.
• On the HOME Menu, the Nintendo eShop icon and the news icon have changed color.
• It is now possible to select and transfer multiple files at once in the "Transfer Save Data" menu.
• The appearance of some user icons has been updated. updated.

Source: Nintendo