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With the Switch 2 coming, Nintendo is working on Virtual Game Cards for cross-device portability
Nintendo announced yesterday that it is developing Virtual Game Cards, a feature aimed at enhancing the portability of digitally downloaded games across different devices. As rumors swirl about an impending release of the next-generation Nintendo Switch 2 console, these Virtual Game Cards will enable users to easily transfer their existing game libraries to new hardware.
Currently, Nintendo offers two primary ways for consumers to obtain and play its popular games: physical game cards or digital downloads. While physical game cards can be simply ejected from one device and reinserted into another without any issues, the process of transferring digital downloads has been more complicated. With Virtual Game Cards, this limitation is set to disappear.
The newly announced technology will allow users to seamlessly transfer their digitally purchased games between devices, as long as they are connected locally for the initial transfer. This increased portability and convenience may lead to a shift in consumer behavior, encouraging gamers to opt for digital downloads over physical copies.
In addition to enhanced device mobility, Nintendo’s Virtual Game Cards also introduce lending capabilities. Users can now temporarily lend out games to up to eight individuals within their Nintendo Family Group via local Wi-Fi connectivity. The borrowed game will automatically return to its original owner after a 14-day period, eliminating the need for cumbersome digital rights management (DRM) measures.
Despite the absence of an official release date, fans eagerly await more information about the Nintendo Switch 2 during the scheduled April 2 Nintendo Direct livestream.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/27/with-the-switch-2-coming-nintendo-is-working-on-virtual-game-cards-for-cross-device-portability/
