Nintendo Switch Firmware Update Brings Virtual Game Cards, GameShare, and More

With the Nintendo Switch 2 set to launch a little over a month from now, Nintendo has formally started preparations with a firmware update for the Switch 1. In addition to adding a System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2 that lets you transfer your data from the Switch 1 either locally or through the internet, update 20.0.0 also brings several new features that will also be available on Switch 2.

For starters, there’s GameShare, Nintendo’s new game sharing system, with an icon now available on the Home screen- though the feature isn’t going to be available to use until the Switch 2 itself has released. Meanwhile, the update also adds a Home screen icon for Virtual Game Cards, which means you can, among other things, now view all of your downloaded software in a list in this menu. Check out the firmware update’s full list of changes below.

The Nintendo Switch 2 launches worldwide on June 5, with Mario Kart World releasing as a launch title.

Nintendo Switch ver. 20.0.0 update notes:

• The following icons for new features have been added to the HOME Menu:
  • 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.
  • GameShare
    • Compatible software can be shared from a Nintendo Switch 2 system to other nearby system(s) to play together.
      • You can only play together via local wireless, and the Nintendo Switch 2 system must initiate GameShare.
      • This feature cannot be used between two Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model and/or Nintendo Switch Lite systems.
• User-Verification Settings has been added under User > User Settings.
  • You can restrict access to the Virtual Game Card menu by requiring entry of a PIN or signing in to your Nintendo Account.
• Online License Settings has been added.
  • When turned on, you can play downloaded software or DLC you’ve purchased while the system is connected to the internet, even if you don’t have the virtual game card loaded.
  • For more information, please refer to the details about the option on the System Settings screen.
• The Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch News icon colors on the HOME Menu have been changed.
• Multiple save data can be selected and transferred at once in “Transfer Your Save Data” menu.
• System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2 has been added under System Settings > System.
  • You can perform a system transfer from your Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 using local communication.
    • For users that will lose access to their Nintendo Switch before receiving their Nintendo Switch 2, there is an option to upload system transfer data to a dedicated server which can then be retrieved on their Nintendo Switch 2. After you upload your system transfer data to the dedicated server, the Nintendo Switch system will be initialized to factory settings, so only perform this transfer if you’ll be able to complete the transfer on Nintendo 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.
  • An internet connection and Nintendo Account is required to complete both local and the server-based system transfer service.
• The appearance of some user icons have been updated.