Nintendo Unveils New Virtual Game Card System to Hide Game Cards

Nintendo's latest update for the Switch introduces the new Virtual Game Card (VGC) system, which is now live and ready for use. This feature allows users to hide their game cards from public view, offering a layer of privacy for those who wish to keep certain titles under wraps. As demonstrated by a user on X/Twitter, you can now conceal your Virtual Game Cards from your acquired list on Nintendo's VGC portal, ensuring that your game collection remains private from prying eyes.

I personally tested this feature and successfully hid games such as Suikoden I&II HD Remaster and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. While these games still appear on my OLED Switch's list when installed or loaded, they disappear from the list once uninstalled. This means that while the games are playable on your console, their visibility on your VGC list can be controlled.

To access your hidden games, you'll need to navigate to the "Redownload Software" section on your Switch, then proceed to the "Can't Find Software?" option and log into your Nintendo account. The same process applies on the Nintendo website, where hidden games are tucked away in a separate folder accessible through the "Can't Find Software?" section. While this method is somewhat cumbersome—requiring you to unhide and reload games to play them again—it provides an additional layer of privacy.

It's worth noting that even with games hidden, your play activity can still be tracked. For instance, my account was marked as playing Suikoden I&II HD Remaster when I booted it up, and this activity was recorded. This feature might be particularly useful as a parental control option if you're sharing your console and want to keep certain games like Mortal Kombat or Doom out of reach. Alternatively, if you're concerned about certain titles showing up at social gatherings, this could be a way to maintain a bit more discretion.

In addition to the VGC system, the latest update includes redesigned icons, a system transfer feature in anticipation of the upcoming Switch 2, and changes to a popular game sharing loophole. For more details on these updates, you can delve deeper into the new Nintendo Switch firmware update [ttpp].