Nintendo Unveils New System to Hide Game Cards

Nintendo's latest Switch update introduces the new Virtual Game Card (VGC) system, offering users enhanced privacy options. Now, you can hide your Virtual Game Cards from your acquired list on Nintendo's VGC portal. This feature is perfect for those who want to keep certain games out of sight, whether for personal reasons or to maintain a bit of mystery about your gaming collection.

As demonstrated by a user on X/Twitter, you can easily conceal games like the Suikoden I&II HD Remaster and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. While these games will still appear on your OLED Switch if installed or loaded, they vanish from the list once uninstalled. This adds an extra layer of privacy to your gaming experience.

To view or manage your hidden games, navigate to the "Redownload Software" section on your Switch, and then proceed to the "Can't Find Software?" area after logging into your Nintendo account. The same process applies on the Nintendo website, where hidden games are neatly tucked away in a separate folder under the "Can't Find Software?" option.

While this method may seem a bit cumbersome—requiring you to unhide and reload games to play them again—it offers a useful feature for shared consoles. For instance, if you're sharing your Switch and want to keep games like Mortal Kombat or Doom out of reach, this can serve as an effective parental control tool. Additionally, if you have titles you'd rather not display at your next social gathering, this feature allows you to keep them under wraps.

In addition to the VGC system, the latest Switch update includes redesigned icons, a new system transfer feature in anticipation of the Switch 2, and has largely closed a popular loophole for game sharing. For more detailed information on the new Nintendo Switch firmware update, you can read more here.