Nintendo brings back the magic of cartridges — but not in physical form

Japanese gaming giant Nintendo has announced a new "virtual cartridge" technology for current and future Switch consoles. This innovation, revealed during the spring Nintendo Direct, reimagines the approach to digital libraries by giving them the flexibility of physical media.

Once a game is purchased from the eShop, it transforms into a "virtual cartridge" — a digital counterpart to a physical game card. Players will not only be able to store their collection in a user-friendly interface but also share games with others over a local Wi-Fi network. Initial transfers will require device synchronization, but future exchanges will be quick and intuitive.

A key feature of the system is the ability to temporarily share games with members of a family group. The cartridge owner can "lend" a game for up to two weeks, but the recipient won’t be able to activate more than one borrowed cartridge at a time. However, subscription-based titles, such as those from Nintendo Switch Online, will remain personal and cannot be shared.

The update enabling virtual cartridges for the Nintendo Switch will roll out at the end of April, while the feature will be available for the upcoming Switch 2 right from launch. Interestingly, the system’s description mentions Switch 2 exclusives and "upgrades" for original console games, hinting at cross-generational compatibility and enhanced versions of classic titles.

With this new system, players will gain greater control over their libraries — they’ll be able to share, receive, and temporarily exchange games without losing the benefits of digital ownership. This is particularly valuable for families where a single console is shared among multiple users. Industry experts note that virtual cartridges could be a strategic move ahead of the Switch 2 launch, streamlining the transition to the new platform and strengthening user loyalty to the Nintendo ecosystem.