Nintendo's New Virtual Game Card System Will Let You Hide Game Cards From Your List

Nintendo's latest Switch update introduces the new Virtual Game Card (VGC) system, offering users an intriguing feature to conceal their game cards from prying eyes. If you're looking to keep certain titles under wraps, you can now hide your Virtual Game Cards from your acquired list on the Nintendo VGC portal. This means that any games you choose to hide will not appear to others browsing your list, providing a layer of privacy for whatever 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 remain visible on my OLED Switch if they're installed or loaded, they vanish from the list once uninstalled. To access your hidden games, navigate to "Redownload Software," then proceed to the "Can't Find Software?" section, and log into your Nintendo account. The same method applies on the Nintendo website, where hidden games are tucked away in a separate folder under "Can't Find Software?"

This feature might seem a bit cumbersome, as you'll need to unhide and reload games to play them again. Additionally, my account still showed me playing Suikoden I&II HD Remaster in the Play Activity, even when the game was hidden. However, this could be a useful tool for parental controls or for keeping certain games private, such as Mortal Kombat or Doom, especially if you're sharing your console. It might also come in handy if you want to avoid awkward moments at social gatherings by keeping certain titles out of sight.

With the latest update, you can now hide your Virtual Game Cards effectively. Alongside this, the update brings redesigned icons, a system transfer feature in anticipation of the 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.