Nintendo Switch Update 20.0.0 Adds Virtual Game Cards, GameShare and More

[UPDATE - January 14, 2026]: We recently spoke with the team at ProbablyMonsters about their experience developing for the new hardware. They revealed that implementing the GameShare feature into their action roguelike Storm Lancers was "very easy," taking just over a month to complete. You can read the full interview here for more details on the Switch 2's version, which includes couch co-op, 4K@60FPS, and HDR support, and the studio's ethical AI policy.

[ORIGINAL STORY] A big new Nintendo Switch update (version 20.0.0) dropped today, adding several features introduced mostly in preparation for the Nintendo Switch 2 launch. The Virtual Game Cards and GameShare features are easily the most important. Here's what Nintendo had to say about how they work:

• Virtual Game Card
  • Purchased Nintendo Switch digital software, DLC, and some free software are now virtual game cards and displayed in a list in this menu.
  • You can virtually load and eject virtual game cards between up to two Nintendo Switch systems.
  • Virtual game cards can be lent to others in the same Nintendo Account family group. For more information, see Virtual Game Card Guide.
• GameShare
  • Compatible software can be shared from a Switch 2 system to other nearby system(s) to play together.
    • You can only play together via local wireless, and the Switch 2 system must initiate GameShare.
    • This feature cannot be used between two Switch, Switch – OLED Model, and/or Switch Lite systems.

A new User Verification feature has also been added to ensure that access to the Virtual Game Card menu can be restricted via PIN or signing in to your Nintendo Account. Furthermore, with the addition of Online License Settings, users can play downloaded software or DLC they purchased (as long as the system is connected to the Internet) even if they don't have the virtual game card loaded.

Last but certainly not least, the functionality to transfer saves between Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 has been implemented. Users can perform a system transfer using local communication; however, both the local and server-based system transfer services require an Internet connection and a Nintendo Account. Multiple saves can also be selected and transferred at once in the dedicated menu.

• • For users who will lose access to their Switch before receiving their Switch 2, there is an option to upload system transfer data to a dedicated server, which can then be retrieved on their Switch 2. After you upload your system transfer data to the dedicated server, the Switch system will be initialized to factory settings, so only perform this transfer if you’ll be able to complete the transfer on Switch 2.
  • If you want to continue using your Nintendo Switch until you have a Nintendo Switch 2, we recommend completing the system transfer using local communication after you have acquired a Nintendo Switch 2 system.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is just over a month from its planned June 6 debut in stores. In the meantime, check out our recap article here, or our hands-on preview here.

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