It’s time to dust off your Switch as Nintendo has released a major new update for the eight-year-old console.
Gaming companies constantly release new software tweaks, but trust us when we say this one is worth downloading.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, Nintendo is releasing a new gaming device called the Switch 2 — a bigger, more powerful version of its smash hit predecessor — on June 5.
The latest update lays the groundwork for the launch by giving players new features that enable digital game- and data-sharing between Switch consoles.
You can now share digital games with others
Here’s how it works: After downloading the update, Nintendo will convert your digital games into “Virtual Game Cards,” treating them like physical cartridges you can play on other paired Switch devices.
You’ll be able to borrow one Virtual Game Card at a time to members of your Family Group (which can include up to eight accounts) for up to 14 days. After this period, the game will automatically return to you.
All the saved game data will be kept on both accounts, so if you lend out the same game again to the same person, they can pick up where they left off.
With the latest update installed, you should see a new Virtual Game Cards icon on the Switch home screen.
Here you’ll find all your digital games, which should be converted automatically into Virtual Game Cards, meaning you can load them on another console or share with family members. Both options require you to connect to the internet during setup only.
There’s a problem with online play for shared games
However, there appears to be a catch. Players have discovered that the new system prevents two people from playing the same digital game online simultaneously, even using separate Switch consoles and accounts. That was previously possible using a “primary” and “secondary” console setup — a feature that has now been removed, according to the gaming site, VGC.
Because Virtual Game Cards behave like physical cartridges, only one console can use them online at a time. A clever workaround involves putting one console in Airplane Mode while the other stays online. However, this allows only offline play on one system.
So, if you planned to race a pal in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe using just one digital copy, you’re out of luck — unless you buy a second copy.
The issue may be resolved on Switch 2 for some games, with a new “GameShare” feature allowing users to share select titles with other Switch or Switch 2 consoles using local wireless and play online together.
What else is new in the latest update?
Along with Virtual Game Cards, the latest update (version 20.0.0) adds some handy new features. You can now lock game sharing behind a PIN or account login using the new User Verification setting, and the Online License option lets you play digital games without the Virtual Game Card — so long as you're online.
Other changes include a colourful refresh for the eShop and News icons, the ability to transfer multiple save files simultaneously, and a new System Transfer feature to help you move everything to a Switch 2 when it launches.
The latter is ideal if you want to trade in your current Switch before getting the Switch 2. It lets you upload your data to a secure server and retrieve it later on your new console. Just be warned: once uploaded, your old Switch will be wiped, so only use this option if you're ready to upgrade.
How to download the Nintendo Switch update
If your Switch hasn’t downloaded the update automatically, you can grab it via the settings tab (indicated by a gear icon at the bottom right of the home page).
Now, scroll down, select System, System Update and then follow the prompts to update your Switch.
Bear in mind, the console must be charged up sufficiently for the update to start, so make sure to plug it in for a bit if you haven’t used it in a while.
The console will then restart when the update has finished downloading. In our case, the whole process took less than a minute.
