In late March, during a Nintendo Direct, it was made aware to fans that a software update for the Switch would be coming. This update would add Virtual Game Cards among other features. Today, April 29, 2025, Nintendo has released firmware version 20.0.0 to the Switch, which has brought Virtual Game Card, GameShare, and System Transfer to Switch 2.

The update is available for all Nintendo Switch owners, and the details can be found below via Nintendo:

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. For more information, see Virtual Game Card Guide.
    • 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.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to release on June 5, 2025, and most of these new features added will be most useful until then. It seems Nintendo wanted to get ahead of everything prior to the major release. 

Switch 2 pre-orders are available worldwide, and initially in the United States and Canada, it was challenging for many to get a pre-order solidified. It is predicted that the Switch 2 will be the biggest video game console launch in history.