Nintendo Switch Update 20.0.0: Patch Notes

Hey, so Nintendo went and dropped a big update for the Switch. We’re talking version 20.0.0 now, and it’s packed with all kinds of new stuff. I mean, I barely had the old version down pat, and here we are again. Typical.

First off, they’ve introduced something called Virtual Game Card. No clue why it’s virtual — are we trying to save the planet one game card at a time? Anyway, your digital games, DLCs, even some freebie stuff, are basically turning into these virtual cards. It’s like your game library just decided to Marie Kondo itself, if that makes sense. You can even swish these cards around between two Switch systems. And if you feel generous, lend them out to your fam on the same Nintendo Account. Sharing is caring, right? Sort of.

Then there’s GameShare. It’s like they want you to play nice with the Switch 2. You gotta start the whole thing from a Switch 2 though, and it’s local wireless only. Imagine a little gaming lan party at your place, minus the cables everywhere. But nope, doesn’t work if you’re mixing it up with different Switch models. Bummer.

Oh, and now there’s this User-Verification Settings thing. Basically, you can lock down your Virtual Game Card menu with a PIN. Perfect if you’ve got sneaky roommates or younger siblings who think your game collection is fair game.

Also in the mix is Online License Settings. Don’t ask me why online now requires a license — digital bureaucracy, I guess. But flip it on, and you don’t need your virtual card on you to play stuff you’ve snagged online. Internet connection needed, obviously, but that’s a given these days, right?

The HOME Menu went through a color phase too. The eShop and Nintendo News icons have switched it up. Because… why not?

Moving on, save data transfer just got a whole lot less painful — multiple at once, folks! Plus, you can now move your whole life (read: game history) to the Switch 2. If you’re making the leap early, they’ll even let you stash your data on a server. It’s kind of like moving houses without knowing you’ve got a place to land just yet. Do this server thing only if you’re sure, though, because it zaps your old Switch back to day one.

And hey, some user icons got a little facelift, too. I noticed it — but maybe I’m just being overly observant. Need more deets on the Switch 2? They’re parking all the extra info on the Nintendo site.

Oh, and say goodbye to the whole “Primary Console” jargon. We’re talking “Pass-enabled console” now. This new term means all users on a single system can tap into subscriptions and passes. Change is in the air, people!

Phew, that was a lot, right? I kinda lost track halfway — but anyway, these are the highlights. Pop over to the Nintendo site if you need to dive deeper or if, like me, you get tangled trying to keep up. Who knows what surprise update they’ll cook up next?