Nintendo has implemented a new system update for Nintendo Switch. This particular update is considerable, presenting the function of virtual game cards announced during the company’s Nintendo Direct Company in March 2025, together with the Gameshare support and other compatibility with the next Switch 2 system.
After installing the update, the digital titles and the DLC that you have bought now will become virtual game cards. These work similar to physical game cards. You can load and share your digital games between two switching systems, which makes it easier to manage your digital library. You can also temporarily provide other users within your family group.
As mentioned, the new system update also adds support for Gameshare. This feature will allow Switch 2 owners to virtually share games compatible with Switch 1 players, similar to the download game function offered by DS, which gives you the ability to configure or join a multiplayer session, even if only a player possesses the game.
Beyond that, the update adds a transfer function of the Switch 2 system that will allow you to transfer your Switch 1 data to the new console. Nintendo has also adjusted the colors of the eShop and the news icons, and has added the ability to transfer multiple saved data at the same time. You can read the complete notes of the patch, taken from the Nintendo support website, then.
This system update arrives a little more than a month before switch 2, which is scheduled to launch around the world on June 5. The anticipated orders of the console were opened in the United States and Canada on April 24, but quickly sold out, although many games and accessories are still in stock. For more information about the next console, see our summary of everything we know about Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch version 20.0.0 patch notes
- The following icons for new features have been added to the start menu:
- Virtual Game Card
- Bought Nintendo Switch Digital Software, DLC and some free software are now virtual game cards and are shown in a list in this menu.
- You can practically load and expel virtual game cards between up to two Nintendo Switch systems.
- Virtual game cards can be lent to others in the same family group of Nintendo accounts. For more information, see the virtual game card guide.
- Gameshare
- Compatible software can be shared from a Nintendo Switch 2 system to other nearby systems to play together.
- You can only play together through the local wireless connection, and the Nintendo Switch 2 system must start Gameshare.
- This feature cannot be used between two Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch: OLED model and/or Nintendo Switch Lite systems.
- Compatible software can be shared from a Nintendo Switch 2 system to other nearby systems to play together.
- Virtual Game Card
- The user verification configuration has been added in the user configuration>.
- You can restrict access to the virtual game card menu when you require the entrance of a pin or log in to your Nintendo account.
- Online license configuration have been added.
- When it turns on, you can play downloaded software or DLC that has bought while the system is connected to the Internet, even if it does not have loaded virtual card.
- For more information, see the details on the option on the System Configuration screen.
- The colors of the Nintendo Eshop and Nintendo Switch News icon have changed in the start menu.
- Multiple saved data can be selected and transferred at the same time in the “Transfer your Save” data menu.
- The transfer of the system to Nintendo Switch 2 has been added in system configuration> system.
- You can make a system transfer from your Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 using local communication.
- For users who will lose access to their Nintendo Switch before receiving their Nintendo Switch 2, there is an option to load system transfer data to a dedicated server that can then be recovered in its Nintendo Switch 2. After loading its system transfer on the dedicated server, the Nintendo Switch system will initialize the factory settings In Nintendo Switch 2.
- If you want to continue using your Nintendo Switch until you have a Switch 2 Nintendo, we recommend you complete the system transfer using local communication after having acquired a Nintendo Switch 2 system.
- An Internet connection and Nintendo account are required to complete the local and local system transfer service.
- For more information, see the transfer of the Nintendo Switch system to Nintendo Switch 2.
- You can make a system transfer from your Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 using local communication.
- The appearance of some user icons has been updated.
For detailed information about Nintendo Switch 2, see the Nintendo website.
Keep in mind that the use of the “primary console” has been unnoticed with the transition to virtual game letters, and instead will be used “console enabled to pass”. In a console set as a “console enabled to pass” for a user, all users in the console can access certain subscriptions or passes for some software. For more information, see how to establish or change the enabled console for a Nintendo account.