Nintendo Launches Virtual Game Card System

Nintendo's Virtual Game Card feature has launched with the newest Switch system update. Players now have the option to conceal their game cards from view if desired.

As demonstrated by an X/Twitter user, Virtual Game Cards can now be hidden from your collection displayed on Nintendo's VGC portal. This effectively removes selected games from your public library listing.

During testing, we successfully hid titles like Suikoden I & II HD Remaster and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Hidden games remain visible on your Switch OLED when installed, but disappear from the list once uninstalled.

To access hidden games, users must navigate through "Redownload Software" and select "Can't Find Software?" after logging into their Nintendo account. The same process applies when checking your library through Nintendo's website.

While this provides privacy for sensitive titles, the system proves somewhat inconvenient - hidden games must be unhooked and redownloaded before playing. Testing showed Play Activity still tracked hidden games like Suikoden I & II HD Remaster upon launching.

The feature could serve as parental controls for mature games like Mortal Kombat or Doom on shared consoles. It also helps maintain discretion when showcasing your Switch collection socially.

The latest update includes this privacy feature alongside redesigned icons, Switch 2 system transfer preparations, and restrictions on game-sharing loopholes. Additional details about the Nintendo Switch firmware update are available here.