Nintendo Unveils New Virtual Game Card System to Hide Game Cards

Nintendo's latest Switch update introduces the new Virtual Game Card (VGC) system, which is now live and offers users the ability to keep their game cards hidden from view. If you're someone who values privacy or simply wants to keep certain games out of sight, this feature is for you. As demonstrated by a user on X/Twitter, you can now hide your Virtual Game Cards from your acquired list on Nintendo's VGC portal. This means that any games you choose to hide will not be visible to others browsing your list, for whatever personal reasons you might have.

I personally tested this feature and successfully hid games such as Suikoden I&II HD Remaster and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. While these games still appear on my OLED Switch's list when installed or loaded, they disappear from the list once uninstalled. To view your hidden games, you'll need to navigate to the "Redownload Software" section, then go to "Can't Find Software?" and log into your Nintendo account. The same process applies on the Nintendo website, where hidden games are tucked away in a separate folder under the "Can't Find Software?" option.

If you're sharing your console and want to keep certain games like Mortal Kombat or Doom out of reach, this feature could serve as a useful parental control tool. Alternatively, if you have games in your library that you'd rather not have displayed at social gatherings, this feature can help maintain your privacy. However, keep in mind that the process to unhide and reload games for play can be a bit cumbersome. Additionally, even when hidden, games like Suikoden I&II HD Remaster still show up in your Play Activity when you start playing them.

With the introduction of the VGC system, the latest Switch 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 detailed information on the new Nintendo Switch firmware update, you can read further here.