Nintendo Unveils Virtual Game Card System to Hide Games

Nintendo's latest Switch update has introduced the new Virtual Game Card (VGC) system, offering users a discreet way to manage their game collections. With this update, you can now hide specific Virtual Game Cards from your acquired list on the Nintendo VGC portal, ensuring that certain games remain private. This feature is particularly useful for those who wish to keep their game choices confidential, whether for personal reasons or to maintain a level of privacy when sharing their console.

As demonstrated by a user on X/Twitter, hiding games like Suikoden I&II HD Remaster and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is straightforward. While these games will still appear on your OLED Switch if installed or loaded, they will disappear from your list once uninstalled. To view your hidden games, you'll need to navigate to the "Redownload Software" section, then proceed to the "Can't Find Software?" area 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.

This method, while somewhat cumbersome, allows you to keep games like Mortal Kombat or Doom out of sight, which could be beneficial as a parental control feature. It's also handy if you prefer not to have certain titles visible when using your Switch in public settings. However, remember that even hidden games will still show in your Play Activity when you start playing them.

Alongside the VGC system, the latest update 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 find additional information here.