Nintendo Switch receives a feature from the Switch 2

April 30, 2025, 12:38 pm | Read time: 2 minutes

The Switch will soon be replaced by the Switch 2. Nevertheless, the old Nintendo Switch is receiving an update that prepares it for the future.

The Nintendo Switch was released in 2017 and has been on the market for several years. A successor device has been long overdue and is finally expected to launch this summer. However, this doesn’t mean the older device will immediately become obsolete. On the contrary, a new Nintendo Switch update is preparing the hybrid console for the foreseeable future.

Update Introduces Virtual Game Cards

Some time ago, the traditional manufacturer announced a major innovation for handling digital games: the new Virtual Game Cards. As the company explains on an information page, these cards will allow players to better manage their digital game library, exchange games between different devices, and even lend them digitally.

This will enable a digital handling of games similar to that of physical game cards. The company introduced the feature in March during a Nintendo Direct, and it is now being rolled out with update version 20.0.0.

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Old Switch Now Compatible with Nintendo Switch 2’s GameShare

Additionally, the new Nintendo Switch update makes the eight-year-old hybrid console ready for the next generation. With the Nintendo Switch 2, it will be possible to share compatible games directly and in real-time, allowing multiple people to play the same title simultaneously.

The feature is called GameShare and can only be initiated from a Switch 2. In addition to other Switch 2 devices, the software update now allows the previous Switch generation to receive compatible games from a Switch 2.

Furthermore, the Nintendo Switch update includes additional innovations regarding user verification, license settings, and the transfer of saved data. It is also possible to transfer your Switch system to the new Switch 2.

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