On March 27th, a Nintendo Direct streamed focused solely on the original Switch system.
Or was it?
Even though there's a dedicated Nintendo Direct for the Switch 2 streaming April 2nd, we actually got a few insights for relevant Nintendo features and titles that are going to factor in to the Switch 2.
Virtual Game Cards
In a Nintendo earnings call months ago, it was confirmed that original Switch titles would be playable on Switch 2, including digital games. Now we know how that's going to work, thanks to a new function/feature called Virtual Game Cards.
Digital titles on your Nintendo Switch will become virtual game cards. And new digital titles that you purchase will be listed in a dedicated tab on your Switch home screen for Virtual Game Cards.
Virtual games can be used and shared between two Nintendo Switch systems and can be "inserted" and ejected in much the same way you'd swap physical cartridges between games.
You'll need an internet connection to do this, and, at the time you're setting up the system to share games with, you'll need local communication between the consoles for that process as a one-time verification (seemingly).
Lending Virtual Game Cards
For as long as Nintendo has been selling digital games (circa the Switch virtual store), there's been no way to share your digital games, like you can with physical ones.
Nintendo is now making it possible to share digital titles, with a few restrictions.
Virtual game cards can be loaned out to people who are also members of your Nintendo Account family group. They will get a copy of the virtual game and be able to use it for two weeks before it's automatically returned to the owner's account.
You can only lend one game at a time to a particular person (but based on the video it seems like you can lend multiple titles simultaneously to different people on your account).
Nintendo Today
To finish off the Direct, Nintendo revealed a new app that seems to be a combination newsfeed and calendar called Nintendo Today.
The company says it will post daily news and updates related to upcoming titles within the app. Users can scroll through data to review announcements shared in Nintendo Directs or verify release dates for upcoming games.
Nintendo Today is available to download now. For our hands-on review check out the video below:
Nintendo Switch March Recap
While Nintendo stressed that the March 27th Direct would solely focus on the original Switch system, the above-mentioned points will be relevant to Switch 2, whether it's just for keeping up-to-date with Switch News or figuring out how you'll be able to play your digital library on the new console.
There were many exciting announcements for Switch games to come, including our best look so far at Metroid Prime 4 Byone (which sees Samus exploring a jungle after her ship makes an unexpected landing and gaining psychic puzzle-solving abilities, all while being able to control her weapons trajectory with her mind). No release date except for 2025, btw.
Plus, there were some unexpected retro throwbacks to look forward to. Gradius Origins will be a collection of Gradius games featuring a new title, Salamander 3. Shadow Labyrinth is coming to Switch, which features PACMAN in a way we've never seen before. Plus, Pokemon Legends Z-A, was revealed as an upcoming title set in a city that will be familiar for people who played Pokemon X and Y games.
Long story short, we're gonna have to update our gift guide for Nintendo fans, because there's going to be plenty of new things to add to the wishlist!
What did you think of the March 27th Nintendo Direct? Hit me up on Instagram to share your thoughts!
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