Nintendo Unveils New Virtual Game Card System to Hide Cards

Nintendo's newly introduced Virtual Game Card (VGC) system is now operational with the latest Switch update, providing users with an innovative feature to keep their game selections private. For those who prefer to keep certain games under wraps, the VGC system offers an option to hide game cards from the acquired list on the Nintendo VGC portal. This feature ensures that your chosen games remain invisible to others, catering to a variety of personal preferences or privacy concerns.

As demonstrated by a user on X/Twitter, it's possible to conceal games like the Suikoden I&II HD Remaster and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. While these hidden games still appear on your OLED Switch when installed or loaded, they vanish from the list once uninstalled. This functionality was confirmed through personal testing, ensuring that your hidden games stay out of sight.

To access your hidden games, you can navigate to your games list via "Redownload Software," but to view the hidden titles, you'll need to visit the "Can't Find Software?" section and log into your Nintendo account. This same method applies to the Nintendo website, where hidden games are neatly tucked away in a separate folder under the "Can't Find Software?" option.

While the process of hiding and unhiding games can be somewhat cumbersome, requiring you to unhide and reload games to play them again, it serves a purpose. For instance, when I booted up Suikoden I&II HD Remaster, it was still marked as being played and appeared in my Play Activity, despite being hidden.

This feature could be particularly useful for those sharing consoles, acting as a form of parental control to keep certain games like Mortal Kombat or Doom out of reach. It might also appeal to those who wish to maintain a discreet game library, especially in social settings like a rooftop party where your game choices might be on display.

With the introduction of the VGC system, the latest 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 explore further here.