Allowing Nintendo Digital Games: Here’s what it means and how it works

I have numerous switches in my house and a family account for everyone. Sharing games is incredibly annoying, at least for digital purchases: if someone has a different Nintendo account, it means buying a new copy. But it changes, something like virtual games for games. The news announced on Nintendo Direct Only a week before streaming Switch 2 reveals On April 2, there may be a big deal for my home and probably yours.

Read more: The biggest news from Nintendo Direct, March 2025.

I am used to sharing digital content with my family: we share iTunes purchases and avid books. Virtual game cards seem to be managed as cards similar to cards that appear on your switch and can be sent locally between the switching systems, or for use or borrowing.

According to Nintendo, two switches can exchange a digital game via a local connection (for the first setting, and then it seems that only an Internet connection is required for both transfer switches), “disposal” of the game and loading the other system. This decides an annoying thing with current switches where only one device switch can be made. Currently, for example, I have a few switches with my Nintendo account on them, but I can only play games offline on one of them. The rest must be online to certify the game. Nintendo gets rid of it, at least between two switches.

The other part of the virtual game cards includes a loan between family members. This feature seems to work in the same way as the local transfer of the Digital Come Card file, but the game can be borrowed in just two weeks. The file will then be “returned” to the original switch. The retention data is not lost, so the game can be recharged to refresh the loan.

The whole development is a welcome news and offers a new approach to the digital games before the start of Switch 2. But this does not solve all my problems. I would prefer a way to share games constantly in all family members, or at least buy a lower price license for it. The limited limit with two games for games offline in one account is better than before, but each with more switches in one account will still have to juggle.

But this shows that Nintendo is trying to change the way new customers are moving to Switch 2. Previously, new console settings included annoying redownloads and permissions, including reassignment of which switch was “basic”. Virtual gaming card support arrives at the end of April before Switch 2, which should mean that the SWITCH 2 setting and moving digital games can be an easy process than before. I’m still curious about how everything works and how the boundaries feel, but we may have to wait until the end of April to test.