Nintendo Unveils System to Hide Game Cards

Nintendo's latest Switch update introduces the new Virtual Game Card (VGC) system, which is now live and offers users the ability to keep their game collection private. If you're someone who wants to keep certain games out of sight, you'll find this feature particularly useful. A user on X/Twitter demonstrated that it's possible to hide Virtual Game Cards from your acquired list on Nintendo's VGC portal. This means that anyone peeking at your list won't see the games you've tucked away for whatever reason you might have.

I personally tested this feature and successfully hid games like Suikoden I&II HD Remaster and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. These games remain visible on my OLED Switch only if they're installed or loaded, but they disappear from the list once uninstalled. The process involves navigating to your games list through "Redownload Software," but to view the hidden games, you'll need to go to the "Can't Find Software?" section and log into your Nintendo account. The same applies to the Nintendo website, where hidden games are tucked away in a separate folder accessible via the "Can't Find Software?" option.

If you're sharing your console and want to keep certain games like Mortal Kombat or Doom out of reach, this feature can serve as a parental control tool. Or perhaps you have some titles in your collection that you'd prefer to keep under wraps when socializing with your Switch at events. Either way, you now have the option to hide your Virtual Game Cards.

The latest update not only brings the VGC system but also includes redesigned icons, a system transfer feature in preparation for the upcoming 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 follow this link.