Nintendo Unveils Virtual Game Card System to Hide Game Cards

Nintendo's latest update for the Switch introduces the Virtual Game Card (VGC) system, now live and ready for use. If you're keen on keeping certain games under wraps, you'll be pleased to know that you can now hide your Virtual Game Cards from your acquired list on Nintendo's VGC portal. This feature is perfect for those who wish to keep their game collection private for any reason.

As demonstrated by a user on X/Twitter, you can easily conceal games such as Suikoden I&II HD Remaster and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe from your list. While these games will still show up on your OLED Switch if they're installed or loaded, they will vanish from your list once uninstalled. This adds a layer of privacy that many users might appreciate.

To manage your hidden games, navigate to the "Redownload Software" section on your Switch. From there, you can access the "Can't Find Software?" option and log into your Nintendo account to view your list of hidden titles. The same process applies on the Nintendo website, where hidden games are neatly tucked away in a separate folder under the "Can't Find Software?" section.

This feature, while a bit cumbersome since you need to unhide and reload games to play them again, can serve multiple purposes. For instance, it can function as a parental control mechanism if you want to keep games like Mortal Kombat or Doom out of reach from younger users. Alternatively, if you're heading to a social gathering and prefer to keep certain titles discreet, this feature might just be the tool you need.

In addition to the VGC system, the latest firmware update brings 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 these changes, you can delve deeper into the new Nintendo Switch firmware update [ttpp].