Nintendo's latest update for the Switch introduces the new Virtual Game Card (VGC) system, which is now live. This update brings a significant feature for those who wish to keep certain games private: the ability to hide Virtual Game Cards from your acquired list on Nintendo's VGC portal. This means that any games you choose to hide will not appear visible to others browsing your list, catering to users who want to keep specific titles out of sight for personal reasons.
I personally tested this feature and successfully hid games such as Suikoden I&II HD Remaster and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. While these hidden games remain visible on your OLED Switch if installed or loaded, they disappear from the list upon uninstallation. This provides a level of privacy that can be useful in various scenarios.
Nintendo's new Virtual Game Card system is now operational on the Switch, just in time for the upcoming Switch 2 launch. To manage your hidden games, you'll need to navigate to the "Redownload Software" section and then to "Can't Find Software?" where you'll log into your Nintendo account to view your concealed titles. The same process applies to the 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, the system still tracks your play activity; for instance, it marked my account as playing Suikoden I&II HD Remaster when I launched it. Despite this, the feature could serve as a parental control tool, making games like Mortal Kombat or Doom inaccessible on shared consoles. Alternatively, if you're concerned about certain titles showing up at social gatherings, this feature offers a way to keep them discreet.
In summary, with the latest update, you can now hide your Virtual Game Cards. Alongside this, the update includes redesigned icons, a system transfer feature 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 explore further here.
