Nintendo is revamping the mechanism for digital downloads on the Nintendo Switch and its upcoming successor, the Switch 2, by introducing a feature named “Virtual Game Cards.” Announced during the recent Nintendo Direct livestream, this new feature is set to launch in late April and aims to replicate the convenience of physical games in digital format.
The process functions as follows: once a digital game is purchased, a virtual card is uploaded onto the player’s Switch. Players have the ability to load or “eject” these game cards. If two systems are available, a game can be ejected from one system and loaded onto another, facilitating seamless play between devices. Although a local connection is required for this feature, it enables players to quickly exchange various games between systems.
This innovation could significantly shift the dynamics of digitally downloaded games, which have gained prominence as physical retail stores have declined and physical game copies become less critical for some consumers. Digital editions provide a quick and efficient method to acquire new games, provided there is internet connectivity. However, digital game ownership is less clearly defined than physical media, as companies can remove digital games from online stores at any time, and secondary markets for collectors are nonexistent. Additionally, reselling or loaning digital games is not feasible without sharing account details.
With the introduction of Virtual Game Cards, Nintendo offers some flexibility in game sharing. These virtual cards can be loaned to other users through a local connection within Family Groups, connecting multiple Nintendo accounts. Yet, only one game can be shared between two users simultaneously for up to two weeks. It remains uncertain if a lent game can still be accessed by the original owner. Nintendo has been approached for further clarification on this matter.
The proposed tariffs on imports from Canada, China, and Mexico by the US administration, if implemented, could severely affect the production and sales of physical game media and consoles. The Entertainment Software Association has previously cautioned that such tariffs could adversely impact millions of Americans and the industry’s contributions to the US economy, potentially driving up the prices and reducing the availability of physical game products, thereby making digital alternatives more appealing.
Although Nintendo shared detailed information about Virtual Game Cards during the event, no updates were provided regarding the Switch 2. Another Nintendo Direct focusing on the new console is scheduled for April 2. The event also included a brief glimpse of “Metroid Prime 4: Beyond,” which introduces new abilities for the protagonist, Samus. The game’s release is still anticipated this year, with the possibility of an official release date being revealed alongside the Switch 2 announcement.
