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Nintendo's update factory resets your console during cloud transfers - a crucial detail most gamers miss. The 14-day lending system revolutionizes family game sharing ahead of Switch 2's imminent launch.
Nintendo just released a major update for the original Switch. Version 20.0.0 adds several features preparing players for the Switch 2 arriving June 5th. New functions include Virtual Game Cards, GameShare capabilities, and expanded system transfer options.
The timing of this release, just 34 days before the new hardware launches, indicates Nintendo's strategic focus on ensuring a smooth transition between generations.
The most significant addition is the Virtual Game Card system. This fundamentally changes digital game management across Nintendo devices. Digital software and DLC organize into virtual cards that can be "loaded" and "ejected" between different systems.
Switch owners can now lend games to other users within their Nintendo Account family group. Lending periods extend to a maximum of 14 days. Original owners can maintain certain control privileges.
If the borrower is online, the lender can reclaim the game even during active play sessions. However, if the borrower goes offline without returning the title, the game automatically returns to the original library after the two-week lending period expires.
Each Switch console can only connect to one other system simultaneously. Game enthusiasts can manage their virtual cards through a web interface and choose to hide or unhide specific titles as needed.
Nintendo's last significant digital rights management was released in 2018 with firmware 6.2.1, with a focus on system stability, usability, and specific feature additions. This implementation takes a notably different approach than Sony's recent half-step attempts.
The update introduces Online License Settings. These provide better flexibility for players who use multiple Nintendo systems. When enabled, this feature allows individuals to access their digitally purchased games and DLC on various consoles without using virtual game cards, provided they maintain an internet connection.
This marks a dramatic shift from Nintendo's rigid stance on digital ownership. Previous restrictions limited digital libraries to single devices. The change acknowledges the reality that many households own 2.4 Nintendo systems on average.
A "System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2" option now appears under the System menu in System Settings. This feature gives Players two transfer options, local system-to-system transfer once the Switch 2 arrives, or a cloud upload option that stores transfer data until the new console is obtained.
While the cloud option provides convenience, Nintendo Switch enthusiasts should exercise caution before proceeding. This feature will factory reset the original Switch console, making it impractical for players who wish to continue using their current system until the Switch 2 arrives. Additionally, cloud transfer data will only be stored for one year if not downloaded.
The system transfer process has specific hardware limitations that players should consider. Transfer data initiated on a Switch OLED model can only be reloaded onto another Switch OLED if the user decides to cancel the cloud transfer. This hardware-specific restriction could potentially complicate the transfer process for some users.
GameShare features remain limited until Switch 2 launches. Nintendo has confirmed that sharing can only be initiated from a Switch 2 system over local wireless connections. Attempts to use this feature between two original consoles will be unsuccessful.
This limitation indicates that Nintendo is positioning the Switch 2 as the primary device within its ecosystem moving forward, with the original Switch taking on a secondary role for many features.
The original Switch generated staggering success, selling 132.46 million units since March 2017. Industry forecasts from Niko Partners predict first-year Switch 2 sales reaching 18.7 million units, significantly outpacing the original's first-year sales.
While this update addresses numerous transitional challenges, physical game cards still require manual transfer. No digital solution exists for physical media ownership records. A limitation Nintendo acknowledges as "currently technically unfeasible" in their FAQ.
Nintendo's strategy contrasts with that of Microsoft's ecosystem, by prioritizing smooth hardware transitions while maintaining acceptable backward compatibility levels. This approach is downright Japanese in the details, pragmatic and rigid.
