In a surprise announcement during Thursday’s Nintendo Direct, Nintendo revealed a major change to the way digital game purchases will be handled. From now on, digital Switch games will become Virtual Game Cards that can be swapped back and forth between consoles, and even borrowed by family members.

Nintendo announces a major change coming to its digital games that will overhaul the way digital games function on the Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo is updating how digital Nintendo Switch games work with what it’s calling Virtual Game Cards ahead of the impending launch of Nintendo Switch 2. The company explored how Virtual Game Cards will have players rethinking their purchases during today’s March 2025 Nintendo Direct.