Nintendo Unveils Virtual Game Card System to Hide Game Cards

Nintendo's latest Switch update has introduced the new Virtual Game Card (VGC) system, which is now live and ready for users. This update offers an intriguing feature for those who prefer to keep their game choices private: the ability to hide Virtual Game Cards from your acquired list on the Nintendo VGC portal. This means that any games you've chosen to hide will not be visible to others checking your list of Virtual Game Cards, catering to personal privacy needs for various reasons.

I personally tested this feature and successfully hid games such as the Suikoden I&II HD Remaster and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. While these games still show up on my OLED Switch's list when installed or loaded, they disappear from the list once uninstalled. This provides a layer of discretion for users.

To view your hidden games, you'll need to navigate to the "Redownload Software" section on your Switch, then proceed to the "Can't Find Software?" section and log into your Nintendo account. The same process applies on the Nintendo website, where hidden games are tucked away in a separate folder under the "Can't Find Software?" option.

This method might be a bit cumbersome, as you'll need to unhide and reload games to play them again. Additionally, my account still showed that I was playing Suikoden I&II HD Remaster when I booted it up, and it was also marked in my Play Activity. However, this feature could serve as a useful parental control tool, allowing you to keep certain games like Mortal Kombat or Doom out of reach on shared consoles. It might also be handy if you want to keep some more adult-oriented titles discreet at social gatherings.

With the latest update, you can now hide your Virtual Game Cards, ensuring your game library remains private. The update also includes redesigned icons, a system transfer feature in preparation for the upcoming Switch 2, and the closure of a popular game sharing loophole. For more details on the new Nintendo Switch firmware update, you can read more here.