One of the biggest announcements from the Nintendo Direct on March 27th isn't a game, but a revolutionary feature. Soon, Switch games purchased from the Nintendo eShop will become full-fledged game cartridges. Yes, you read that right. There's no longer any differentiation between physical and digital titles: they'll work (almost) the same way. After a purchase from the console's store, the game will be stored in a dedicated folder, accessible directly from the Switch's main menu. Each user will be able to decide whether or not to insert the virtual cartridge for the title in question to make it playable on that console.
Why not insert them all at the same time? Simply because it will be possible to move the cartridges from one console to another. For the same Nintendo Account, virtual game cards can be accessed on two consoles at the same time (after pairing via local connection), but inserted on only one console at a time. Loading or ejecting games will require an internet connection, after which even a secondary console will no longer need to periodically check the title's license. This is ideal for making life easier for players who switch between two consoles, such as a Switch OLED at home and a Switch Lite on the go. But the main interest of these virtual cartridges remains above all the loan of games.
Lending your digital games: how does it work?
Lending a cartridge can only be done between members of the same Nintendo family group. As a reminder, family groups can accommodate up to 8 Nintendo accounts and are not limited by the players' address. It is therefore entirely possible to share your games with all the people you consider your family.
However, sending a game card to another console requires a local wireless connection between the two users. You will therefore need to go to meeting the loved one in question to lend them a game... Just like with a real cartridge, in short. Other rules also apply to this feature. It is only possible to lend one game at a time to each member of the family group, and the title in question becomes unplayable for the duration of the loan. Furthermore, the loan extends for a maximum of 14 days, after which the cartridge returns to the owner. Sending over a local connection will have to be repeated if the person wishes to continue their adventure.
When will this feature be available?
The addition of this feature is planned for the end of April, without further details regarding the exact launch date. However, the manufacturer confirms that the Nintendo Switch 2 will benefit from virtual game cards from its launch. As a reminder, the final details concerning Nintendo's next console will be revealed during a dedicated Direct, organized on Wednesday, April 2.
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