Nintendo announces new lending feature for digital games

Nintendo has announced a new feature for the Switch and Switch 2 changing digital games to Virtual Game Cards.

Set to launch in late April, users will be able to digitally eject and load games between two systems, and lend titles to Nintendo Account family group members as they would with physical game cards.

Virtual Game Cards will be designated to a dedicated management screen, where users can load, eject, and manage which cards can be played on the system.

It also allows digital games to be shared across two devices linked to the same Nintendo account.

Local communication is required for the first time this feature is used, but after this step users will be able to pre-load and arrange which games are available to play on both systems.

Lending games is achieved through a local wireless connection, enabling family members to play the game on their own system.

Only one game can be borrowed at a time for a total of two weeks. Once that period ends, the game will automatically be sent back to the original owner.

Save data will remain on the borrower’s account, which can be accessed if they borrow again or purchase the game.