How Nintendo’s new Virtual Game Card system works

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During the recent Nintendo Direct broadcast, Nintendo introduced a novel idea: Digital Game Tokens. The conclusion suggested that this would make digital games more user-friendly. However, some might find this statement puzzling. Let me clarify how these Digital Game Tokens function and how they will affect the way Nintendo Switch users share games.

How do Nintendo’s new Virtual Game Cards work and what this means for game sharing

As a dedicated Nintendo Switch fan, I’ve always known that sharing digital games on this console is doable. Here’s how it’s been going for quite some time: each Nintendo account has a designated primary console. You can log into any other Nintendo Switch using your Nintendo account, download any game you’ve purchased from the eShop, but remember, unless you’re on your primary console, you’ll need to be connected to WiFi to actually play it.

Intriguingly, towards the end of a recent video, Nintendo appears to suggest that users will still have the option to stick with this method, although the details aren’t entirely clear. Interestingly, when lending a virtual game card, the recipient won’t need WiFi to play the borrowed game. They can enjoy it anywhere and everywhere without any restrictions.

For instance, imagine that in 2025 I still haven’t had the chance to play The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. A friend of mine who has already played it decided to log into my Nintendo Switch with their account. This allows me to access their eShop and download Breath of the Wild onto my console. However, since this isn’t primarily my friend’s device, I would need to play the game under their account and with an internet connection. Consequently, I won’t be able to enjoy playing Breath of the Wild during my daily commute, while traveling, or in any location without a reliable Wi-Fi connection.

In simpler terms, using virtual game cards, you’ll be able to enjoy playing “Breath of the Wild” as though you had bought the game yourself, but your friend won’t be able to play it simultaneously. However, setting up a local link might prove tricky for friends who aren’t usually close by, making this sharing method more challenging when distance is involved. Virtual game cards can be useful for sharing games, provided that the lender is okay with losing access to it and both users can establish a local connection at least once.

The video presented during the Direct provided limited information about the new digital lending system from Nintendo. This means that more details might be revealed as Nintendo shares additional info. Although it appears that the lender may lose access to their game while it’s being borrowed, this isn’t definitive. It’s also uncertain whether this system will apply to all games available on the Nintendo eShop or just first-party titles. We need to wait for confirmation if third-party games are included as well. Lastly, if I lend a virtual game card to someone, can they then pass it on to someone else, or is it still linked to my account? Nintendo should clarify these points soon, but we might have to wait until the update in late April when it’s released.

If you’re not distributing your digital games, this new setup essentially operates like traditional digital purchases; it’s more of a visual adjustment, with the replacement of downloading the game with inserting a virtual game card. However, it’s when sharing becomes involved that this new system truly takes effect.

As a gaming enthusiast, I find the concept of Nintendo Family Groups particularly appealing. This feature allows up to eight accounts to share games within the group. Unlike traditional sharing methods, when lending a game through the family account, it’s not just about setting up an initial connection; you need to maintain a local connection each time the game is played.

Interestingly, only one game can be borrowed per person at any given moment. The borrowing period lasts for a span of two weeks, or fourteen days, after which the virtual game card automatically returns to its owner. However, it’s good to know that Nintendo ensures that save data is preserved, so your progress won’t be lost when the lending period ends.

It’s worth noting that this lending period is only discussed in the context of family groups; for non-family group lending, there appears to be no time limit specified. So, when this new feature rolls out, it might be wise to choose your game-sharing companions carefully.

This novel virtual game card setup might pose some challenges and inconvenience for those who struggle to set up a local network connection easily. For instance, several of my friends who enjoy gaming on Nintendo Switch reside on the East Coast of the U.S., whereas I’m based on the West Coast. The next time we meet, perhaps we could create a local connection that would serve as a digital lending library spanning the country. However, until then, this new virtual game card system doesn’t seem too helpful for me.

The upcoming update for the Nintendo Switch is scheduled for release towards the end of April. It’s expected that this update will be available before the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. Until Nintendo gives more details, we’ll have to observe how users adopt this feature and if they encounter any issues with it.

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2025-03-27 19:33