Switch Virtual Game Cards May Have Won Me Over

When Nintendo introduced its Virtual Game Card system, it appeared to be an excess of unnecessary features for something that was technically possible. In fact, the novelty seemed rather limiting; however, further information revealed substantial distinctions that would prove beneficial for both Nintendo Switch and future Nintendo Switch 2 users.

Immediately after the latest Switch update was released, I felt compelled to explore its features personally. Overall, it appeared that I wouldn’t find the update particularly beneficial because I don’t have a Nintendo Switch Online family plan with any of my friends.

However, some features of the Virtual Game Card system won me over hard.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but express my excitement about this innovative change! You know how frustrating it is to deal with Nintendo’s congested and AI-glitchy eShop? Well, this new system is here to alleviate some of that frustration! Now, I won’t have to endure the eShop when I want to replay my favorite games. Instead, I can simply redownload them directly without needing to go through the eShop again. What a game-changer, right?

As soon as I spotted that new feature, I couldn’t resist giving it a go. Impulsively, I opted to download Persona 4 Golden, curious to see if it would function properly. Remarkably, the download started, and it seemed quicker than normal.

It appears as though the eagerness to explore the Virtual Game Card system might have been the reason for the quick 20-minute download of the game, which is unusual for me given my location in the Philippines. Typically, Switch downloads take longer, but this one was a 9GB game, and that speed was quite surprising.

In hindsight, 9GB doesn’t seem that big anymore, but I digress.

One aspect that particularly caught my attention was the small animation of your video game being “slotted” into the cartridge. While this might seem trivial to many fans, it added a unique touch that only Nintendo can pull off, leaving me with an enormous grin on my face.

This may seem minor, but clicking on the ‘Virtual Game Card’ menu produces a delightful sound akin to inserting a cartridge, which sets Nintendo apart from competitors like Sony and Microsoft. While they share similar business tactics, such as greediness, these subtle touches of character often melt even the coldest of hearts.

As a gamer, I’m confident that this Family NSO membership system will see more action among its users. Lending a friend a copy of Persona 5 Royal or Super Mario Odyssey through this service is a clever idea, especially if they reside miles away from me. However, the two-week timeframe might be a bit restrictive, but I guess that’s just Nintendo being a little bit reluctant when it comes to online sharing.

As a dedicated fan, I find myself captivated by the unique concept of the Virtual Game Card system in the Switch. Despite its less-than-practical application within the console, I can’t help but feel intrigued by Nintendo’s daring approach to unveiling this feature, which, admittedly, was a bit awkward at first glance.

But there are neat sound effects and animations, so no complaints here.

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2025-05-01 18:12