Nintendo has rolled out its new Virtual Game Card (VGC) system with the latest Switch update, offering users the ability to keep their game collection private. For those who prefer to keep certain titles under wraps, the VGC system allows you to hide your Virtual Game Cards from your acquired list on Nintendo's VGC portal. This feature ensures that any games you choose to conceal remain invisible to others who might be browsing your game list, catering to your privacy needs for whatever reason you might have.

I personally tested this feature and successfully hid games such as Suikoden I&II HD Remaster and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. While these games would still appear on my OLED Switch if installed or loaded, they disappear from the list upon uninstallation. This functionality adds an extra layer of control over your digital library.

To access your hidden games, navigate to the "Redownload Software" section in your games list. From there, head to the "Can't Find Software?" section and log into your Nintendo account to view your concealed titles. The same process applies on the Nintendo website, where hidden games are tucked away in a separate folder under the "Can't Find Software?" option.

While this method might seem a bit cumbersome, requiring you to unhide and reload games to play them again, it serves a practical purpose. For instance, if you're sharing your console and want to restrict access to games like Mortal Kombat or Doom, this feature can act as a parental control tool. Alternatively, if you simply wish to keep certain titles discreet at social gatherings, this can be a useful feature.

In addition to the VGC system, the latest update includes redesigned icons, a system transfer feature in preparation for the upcoming Switch 2, and the closure of a popular game sharing loophole. For more details on these updates, you can explore the full coverage of the new Nintendo Switch firmware update [ttpp].