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

 

[realtimesave]

looks cool. will patiently wait for atmosphere.

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

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

umm, I use emunand and update that. if I update mine right now while in emunand I can always delete my emunand and start over.

 

[MPRTwice]

Oh, it broke _atmosphere_ alright. Surprised it did not get too far into midheaven with the pillars of updates this has. I'm sure it could try to be _stable_ enough to do that. It _virtually_ has nearly every update now. Instability does not seem to be in the game _cards_ with this one.

At least they were able to _share_ this _switch_ in plans for user _verification_ . _Two_ many times they just got mad at others for _emulating_ thier stuff better than they could. There might be _4K_ reasons why some fans no longer like Nintendo.

 

[RyanTheArchivist]

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.

No they still look rather different and have exclusive settings and such.

 

[THYPLEX]

I should be able to update the clean nand and not the emunand

 

[PatchTuesday]

I should be able to update the clean nand and not the emunand

Give it a go and let us know

 

[Julie_Pilgrim]

what the fuck? an actual update? what the fuck nintendo. who will make stability jokes now

 

[poughstings]

They gave us cloud saves for free but we still can't back saves up locally. Trash.

 

[NinStar]

They gave us cloud saves for free but we still can't back saves up locally. Trash.

WHAT, IT IS FREE NOW???

 

[DuoForce]

What the fuck do you mean gameshare can't be used between two Nintendo Switch systems???

 

[awesomeee]

Imagine if an exploit is discovered thanks to the new features

I could see an argument here

Perhaps when syncing locally or sharing you could overflow code into code execution? That idea

 

[ertaboy356b]

I should be able to update the clean nand and not the emunand

You can always "boot to OFW" if all else fails.

 

[DSoryu]

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

Yeah, they did

 

[ertaboy356b]

What the fuck do you mean gameshare can't be used between two Nintendo Switch systems???

GameShare is basically a streaming system ala moonlight. The Switch probably doesn't have enough power or hardware codec to stream stuff reliably.

 

[DSoryu]

GameShare is basically a streaming system ala moonlight. The Switch probably doesn't have enough power or hardware codec to stream stuff reliably.

This, the Switch 2 is basically running every instance of the game for each player, and then it streams it to the other switches.

So.... four player gameshare sessions is just the Switch 2 doing a glorified split screen multiplayer mode, which is still very impresive. I wonder if it uses the same tech as the WiiU.

 

[regnad]

Well, nothing I need. Not updating unless a game requires it.

 

[linuxares]

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.

Oddly enough since fw 5 (I think?) horizon been rock solid on security.

 

[Scarlet]

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.

Do you have any other titles that can't be shared? Every game that I have can be, including various Koei Tecmo games (Atelier, Samurai Warriors, Dynasty Warriors, Blue Reflection to name a few).

 

[impeeza]

What convenient. Big n make all the scene fight about libogc an then release a firmware update...

 

[Scarlet]

What convenient. Big n make all the scene fight about libogc an then release a firmware update...

It was previously announced to be launching towards the end of the month. I don't think they care enough to try to bury news about Wii homebrew lol.

 

[AkiraKurusu]

Why even bother updating with 18.0.0 still works just fine? It's been ages since I last updated my Switch.