Nintendo Switch gets update with new features and data transfer to Switch 2

With just over a month to go before the Nintendo Switch 2's expected release date of June 5, 2025, Nintendo has released an update for the original Switch console. The V20.0.0 update aims to prepare the groundwork for the new console, The Verge reports.

Among the innovations are new buttons on the home screen for the Virtual Game Card and GameShare functions, as well as the option to transfer system data to the cloud for subsequent transfer to the Switch 2.

The Virtual Game Card feature will allow you to "manage" your games between systems and lend them to members of your Nintendo Account family group. GameShare will allow you to transfer games to another console when connected locally. This feature will only work with the Switch 2 - Switch 1 owners will be able to receive games, but will not be able to transfer their own.

As for the system data transfer feature to the cloud, it allows you to download data from Switch 1 and then upload it to Switch 2 without having to have the old console on hand. However, performing this action will reset the console to factory settings, and the data in the cloud will only be stored for one year.

The Nintendo Switch 2 console will go on sale on June 5th for $449.