With Nintendo, the asset ownership in the digital world was changed. Gone are the days of locked digital libraries-The releasing of “virtual game cards,” which can be shared truly opened another dimension. Imagine that involved must-have RPG being lent to your cousin, or the indie gem to your best friend just to reward them after raving about it; it’s like handing around cartridges, butdigitally. Setting it up requires a bit of wizardry for a one-time ritual; however, trust us on this-one: the benefits are worth it. Don’t feel dazed; we’re here for you. Unlocking a new era of Switch sharing!
Released April 30. The update to Nintendo’s latest console unlocked a revolutionary feature of virtual game cards. And that is not all. Nintendo Switch 2 (June 5 launch) will create further waves by pushing virtual game cards to the next level with lending and borrowing capabilities. So perhaps it is sharing your digital library with your friends! And keep in mind: Your full virtual game card isn’t just a game; it’s DLC you’ve got wrapped up with the game itself.
Are you fed up with shouting “My turn!” at the Switch? Put an end to any gamer bickering. Sharing digital games is easier than you think. We shall take down the mysteries surrounding virtual game cards, so your kid, spouse, or roommate can start partying. Also, learn to keep the good times rolling through your own worlds of Switch consoles. Prepare to share the fun!
Considering sending a digital game card for a remote friend is as simple as messaging? Don’t be misled! There are barriers in the system of digital exchanges. These are meant to be tight-knit exchanges- like handing your actual cartridge to your brother or sister. To pass that digital controller, you both need to be connected on the same Wi-Fi. Therefore, that partner who is online via the internet from a different city? He’ll have to stick to his own collection, for now.
Sharing the fun? Nintendo makes lending a virtual game card a matter for the family! Just make sure that both you and your family member are part of the same Nintendo Account family group and that you join the same Wi-Fi network when downloading the games.
Does your friend’s been keeping an eye on this one? Spread the joy! You can lend your copy for as long as 14 days via our virtual game cards. But remember that your Switch will have to wait its turn while it’s on loan. Feeling nostalgic or want to get your digital crown back? Sure thing! Just recall the game at any time (a great way to teach those little borrowers some responsibility!).
Here’s the lowdown on the rest of the fine print:
- You can lend out as many as three virtual game cards at a time.
- A borrower can only take one game at a time, and they can’t borrow from multiple users simultaneously.
- Similarly, you can only lend out one virtual game card to a given console at any time. Assuming your Nintendo Switch were as good as a lending library for virtual games, think again! If your console is a melting pot for different families, then the sharing party for virtual game cards is absolutely over.
Alright, ready to level up your Nintendo Switch game card sharing? Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty.
How to set up Switch systems to share virtual game cards
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Ready to trade sheer digital carts with the friends? Great! But hang on, champion. There is something very important that needs your attention. Switch on your Switch and head toSystem Settings >System >System Update. You could think of this step as tweaking your console for better performance. Let it do its magic if there is an update. But if your Switch says, “We’re good,” then it is clear there is no more obstruction for you to enter the digital realm of game sharing!
Now, why the heck did it show me this kind of arrangement? “Link both Nintendo Switch consoles to the same Wi-Fi network – this is the digital playground for transferring games between the two consoles.” Next up comes the nice tuck of family mores! Make sure everyone is within the same Nintendo Account family. This will be your gaming dynasty, up to eight members; it comes with parental controls, so you can keep everything on the straight and narrow.
Adding the entire Nintendo family onto one online roster is an entirely grueling task requiring a rather quick detour through Nintendo’s own site. Seemingly, one will have to leave their Switch behind for this mission, as account wrangling cannot yet be accomplished directly through the console.
Time to wrangle a family into a Nintendo group! First, designate a champion one Nintendo Account to rule them all in an administrator capacity. Are you signed in? Excellent! Navigate to “Family Group.” Do you see “Add a Member”? Fantastic! Otherwise, forge your family’s digital destiny by selecting “Create Family Group.” Let the games begin!
Adding an existing Nintendo Account holder into your family? Fairly easy! Just hit that “Invite someone” button. (A young Padawan, age 12 or under? You first need to set up their account quickly.) Remember, first-timers to the Nintendo world must create an account before they can enjoy the fun.
Now, brace yourself for this short but crucial legal detour. You’ll see a disclaimer. It’s like a promise in the digital age: you should ONLY invite people you actuallyknowinto your family group. And then, they will give you a very unpleasant heads-up: what if the account gets banned? (Please do not find out the hard way.) Upon solemn agreement and clicking “Confirm,” you will be asked for the registered email address of the Nintendo Account you are inviting to the family. Another click on “Submit”, and hey, this could probably be the precursor to some family fun.
An invite for someone to join your Nintendo family? Grab your keyboard and start typing the email address: Once they receive it, an easy click on the verification link will join them. They will then be asked to log in to their Nintendo Account and simply click on “Join family group.” That’s it! Now the family admin will decide whatever type of role they acquire. Welcome aboard!
There we go, we set the stage for some serious gaming! Now all that’s left for the user to do is to kick the virtual game card library into high gear and start the fun. In other words: all this is done, except for the Wi-Fi sync, which happens right there on the console, and it’s a one-time setup. It’s time to forgo the monotony and plunge right into the exhilarating: virtual game cards are but a few clicks away!
How to lend and borrow virtual game cards on Nintendo Switch
Nintendo
To keep things very clear, imagine that “Switch A” is that generous dude who lends his virtual game, and “Switch B” is the lucky float-worthy machine that borrows it. Forget Switch 1 and Switch 2 – confusion is the surest result!
Ready to load up your digital goodies? Switch on your Nintendo Switch and click on the “Virtual Game Cards” on the home screen. Next, select the player profile linked to your Nintendo Account. Now comes an old style password: type the password or the PIN, if you went through that extra user verification for your account. We’re almost there!
Sharing the love for games? That is how you lend out a digital title from your library: Enter your virtual game library, choose a game you wish to share, and select “Lend to Family Group Member.” Now select the lucky family member from your list and click Lend. Boom! An insta-hit of gaming karma.
What now is in their hands? Oooooooo, a whole universe of games awaits on Switch B! On the home screen, tap “Virtual Game Cards”; select their profile, enter the PIN (if applicable), and then the magic word… “Borrow.” There you see it a perfect and magical moment as the virtual game card teleports downward, ready for the next level adventure!
Teleporting a Switch game from one console to another is akin to a physical person slipping a physical cartridge into his or her console. They must be on the same Wi-Fi Network when the virtual hand-off is taken place in the process of “loading” or “ejecting,” as Nintendo describes it. Then it is happily on your system and ready for some offline gaming! Should there be a hiccup, Nintendo features a dedicated help article to guide you on gaining resolution to any error message during this phase.
Want to rent a virtual game card? Easy! You can always borrow from another Switch within the household. From the main menu, enter the “Virtual Game Cards” area, select a profile, and enter your password or PIN if requested. Search for the game you want to return, tap on “Return to Family Group Member,” and confirm on the “Return” button. Swapped!
Frankly, this is confusing. It would be infinitely smoother if instead, Switch B gets a notification when a game is shared from Switch A. Regardless, when one nears the conclusion of the islet process, itshouldbecome second nature for them.
How to use virtual game cards across two Switch units
Nintendo
Picture it: Lost in the deep narrative of an RPG on the Switch docked, you are suddenly called outside. Not a big deal! Your game can be easily transferred to the Switch Lite, maybe even while it is in your bag. Now you may continue your journey into dungeons on a bus! Welcome to this freedom bestowed by the Virtual game cards. And to top it off, if anyone else is on your Switch console, that person can download your digital library and play your games and DLC under their profiles! How easy is that to share fun!
Digital game night ready to be shared with a friend’s Switch? Now lovely! First things first: Get those consoles to communicate with each other! Take the Switch loaded with your games (hereafter called Switch A) and the new one (Switch B). Imagine them like two excited gamers ready to trade some epic loot. Make sure both are connected to Wi-Fi, and keep them close to each other. Now, on Switch B, link your Nintendo Account to a user profile. And there you have it: A recipe for some serious digital sharing wizardry!
Sharing the Fun! Head to Switch B and tap from the home screen on “Virtual Game Cards,” then select the user connected to your Nintendo Account (you will have to enter a password or PIN). Find the perfect virtual game card? Now make some magic on the console: “Load on This System > Next > Systems Are Close Enough.” Make sure that the two Switches are practically nose-to-nose for the transfer to be smooth!
Upon the virtual cards loading, freedom shall be unlocked for the consoles. There is no need for the tethers anymore. Let them be free and capable of playing on their own, respectively.
It should be noted that only two consoles can team up at once. Want to add another player? Just go back through the setup steps on the new device to designate it as the new “Switch B.”
Mid-game and hit a snag? The Switch B is telling you, “Hold on, you’ve already linked two consoles for virtual game cards!” If you don’t mind changing consoles, just hit “Unlink” next to the console you’d like to remove from the relationship. Click that one more time to finalize it.
Ownership of games on Nintendo Switch lies with the consumer, who should be educated about the product and should have it for all times. However, Nintendo’s hard stance may not allow setting up more than two consoles at the online level. So, if your setup involves more than two consoles, the online license option is your way out. Unlock the games on any console, whether it is in your cozy den setup or on that vacation getaway, with Nintendo’s setup guide.
One hiccup exists, though. Your save data is a kind of homebody and refuses to casually jump between Switch consoles on its own. Want to continue playing on a different console? You have to do a little manual transferring yourself. Think of it as a day to move your files from one place to another-subscribed or not! Locally, that is, with both Switches side-by-side; or through the cloud, if you are among the Nintendo Switch Online voyagers.
How to hide virtual game cards on your Nintendo Switch
Eight years into the Nintendo Switch era, your digital game library might look like a madhouse arcade. Endless scrolling through titles? Fear not! The Switch has a cool little trick for the clutter: hiding games. Save your sanity while learning the one magic trick to make your game collection neat and personalized.
Administrative Magic: Imagine the need of removing a game from one’s library in your Switch. Getting it done is a breeze! One would hit “Virtual Game Cards” on the Switch home screen. Following this, select the user account that is linked to your Nintendo Account; spotlight the title to hide (game or DLC), and from the “Options” menu, select “Hide” twice. That is it! The game disappears, or rather, enjoys a very stylish concealment.
Discover your secret stash of virtual game cards! Theoretically, all you should do is pull a repeat of those first two steps, then head to the “Can’t Find Software?” gateway. Then unlock the portal to “View Hidden Virtual Game Cards,” and endless forgotten gaming riches lay in wait for you!
Gone forever to the digital wilderness, or so it seemed! No worries, though. It can be quickly restored. Navigate to this section and locate the exiled game. Click ‘Options,’ then click ‘Unhide,’ and poof! Behind a light mist, it returns to its place among the other cherished virtual game cards!
Do you think that the lost Switch game card has been lost for good? Not exactly! That little cartridge is a pricey one while basking in the sunshine of its hidden quarters. The game can be downloaded digitally from the Nintendo e-Shop onto the Switch, without needing the card. Go ahead and share: Your lost card can still allow family members within your Nintendo online family group to purchase the game and play it!
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