Here it is, a significant update for the Nintendo Switch. System software update v20.0.0 has released as of today. This firmware version adds some of the newer features originally teased in the last Nintendo Direct. Virtual Game Cards are now available, allowing players to lend digitally-owned copies of games to those within their Nintendo Account family group. Similarly, Gameshare adds the ability to share their games to nearby other Switch systems. The full list of features are noted on the patch notes from Nintendo.

Ver. 20.0.0 (Released April 29, 2025)​

• The following icons for new features have been added to the HOME Menu:
  • Virtual Game Card
    • Purchased Nintendo Switch digital software, DLC, and some free software, are now virtual game cards and displayed in a list in this menu.
    • You can virtually load and eject virtual game cards between up to two Nintendo Switch systems.
    • Virtual game cards can be lent to others in the same Nintendo Account family group. For more information, see Virtual Game Card Guide.
  • GameShare
    • Compatible software can be shared from a Nintendo Switch 2 system to other nearby system(s) to play together.
      • You can only play together via local wireless, and the Nintendo Switch 2 system must initiate GameShare.
      • This feature cannot be used between two Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model and/or Nintendo Switch Lite systems.
• User-Verification Settings has been added under User > User Settings.
  • You can restrict access to the Virtual Game Card menu by requiring entry of a PIN or signing in to your Nintendo Account.
• Online License Settingshas been added.
  • When turned on, you can play downloaded software or DLC you've purchased while the system is connected to the internet, even if you don't have the virtual game card loaded.
  • For more information, please refer to the details about the option on the System Settings screen.
• The Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch News icon colors on the HOME Menu have been changed.
• Multiple save data can be selected and transferred at once in “Transfer Your Save Data” menu.
• System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2 has been added under System Settings > System.
  • You can perform a system transfer from your Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 using local communication.
    • For users that will lose access to their Nintendo Switch before receiving their Nintendo Switch 2, there is an option to upload system transfer data to a dedicated server which can then be retrieved on their Nintendo Switch 2. After you upload your system transfer data to the dedicated server, the Nintendo Switch system will be initialized to factory settings, so only perform this transfer if you’ll be able to complete the transfer on Nintendo Switch 2.
    • If you want to continue using your Nintendo Switch until you have a Nintendo Switch 2, we recommend completing the system transfer using local communication after you have acquired a Nintendo Switch 2 system.
  • An internet connection and Nintendo Account is required to complete both local and the server-based system transfer service.
  • For more information, see System Transfer from Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2.
• The appearance of some user icons have been updated.

For detailed information on Nintendo Switch 2, see the Nintendo website.
Note that the use of “Primary Console” has been deprecated with the transition to virtual game cards, and “Pass-enabled console” will be used instead. On a console set as the “Pass-enabled console” for a user, all users on the console can access certain subscriptions or passes for some software. For more information, see How to Set or Change the Pass-Enabled Console for a Nintendo Account.

For those wondering, yes, this new firmware does break support with Atmosphere, as confirmed by SciresM. For now, you'll have to wait for a new version that supports v20.0.0.

Source

 

[orangy57]

The switch 2's Gameshare feature working with the OG Switch is really awesome IMO. I never expected any kind of ""download play"" for the switch or switch 2, though I don't expect it to run particularly well input-lag wise.

I guess the Gameshare makes it easier for families that don't want to buy multiple 500 dollar consoles for a multi-kid household, instead they can just use their existing switch and a switch 2 on car rides or whatever

 

[RyanTheArchivist]

Damn that's a rather hefty update.

 

[The Catboy]

Wow, that’s still not a reason for me to touch my Switch

 

[impeeza]

The Cat of the dog of the girlfriend of the bodega dependant of the corner of my aunt updated my console ¿what should I do?

 

[BigOnYa]

@SciresM Much love and support from this community. Thank you for all you do.

 

[fvig2001]

So I guess they'll update DK's picture.

 

[BlusterBong]

here before the "Nintendo is literally Satan" crowd comes to say that this would probably be another would be attack vector that will lead to nothing and doesn't even matter to people who don't have an IRL Friend who also has a switch

 

[Timbo303]

Koei tecmo went out of their way to prevent game lending with family group as I found out while looking over my game list. This is scummy on koei tecmos part they are one of the last companys I thought would do this as not even sega, ea, or ubisoft do this.

 

[SuffahBish]

Huh, I assumed the Switch 2 would be running it's own branch of Horizon. This makes me wonder if the Switch 2 is going to be running literally the exact same firmware across both.

 

[cearp]

Koei tecmo went out of their way to prevent game lending with family group as I found out while looking over my game list. This is scummy on koei tecmos part they are one of the last companys I thought would do this as not even sega, ea, or ubisoft do this.

that's annoying it's per game, I must have missed that

 

[Lumpofcoal]

I'm disappointed at the lack of any mention of stability improvements in this patch. Why Ninty? I can only conclude that this patch is very unstable.

/S

 

[awesomeee]

I am concerned for homebrew because the cards will be a huge mess to deal with to get games working in CFW environment

 

[impeeza]

I am concerned for homebrew because the cards will be a huge mess to deal with to get games working in CFW environment

Which one cards?

 

[Moe87]

Ugh, Nintendo removed 7 days access to eShop for current Switch on 19.0.1, forcing everyone to update before they can use eShop.

Virtual gamecard is useless for me because I don't have family account and I'm only one in my family use Switch.

 

[MysticStarlight]

Wow, finally an update that adds new features. The last time they added something new was... what? 5 years ago?

 

[impeeza]

What appropriate is it, I am just looking a movie: «Pirates of Silicon Valley»

 

[MysticStarlight]

Imagine if an exploit is discovered thanks to the new features

 

[Alitos]

ugh, i hate that i updated to play a game with my sister on the ofw thinking it would update to 19.0.1 but noooo i got an Ef you heres v20.0

Post automatically merged: Apr 30, 2025

ugh, i hate that i updated to play a game with my sister on the ofw thinking it would update to 19.0.1 but noooo i got an Ef you heres v20.0

 

[Reploid]

Cool, I've totally skipped 19, since no game required it. another useless update anyway.