Nintendo has officially clarified that games labeled as Nintendo Switch 2 Edition will include both the original game and the upgrade on the same cartridge. This statement was made to Vooks, addressing earlier confusion sparked by conflicting reports from customer service interactions. However, Nintendo also noted that some publishers might opt to distribute Switch 2 Edition games as download codes within physical packaging, without an actual game card.
Here's the statement directly from Nintendo:
"Physical versions of Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games will include the original Nintendo Switch game and its upgrade pack all on the same game card (i.e., they are exclusively Nintendo Switch 2 game cards, with no download code). Alternatively, some publishers may release Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games as download codes in physical packaging, with no game card."
Priced at $79.99, some of the Switch 2 Edition games available include Kirby and The Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star Crossed World, Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. These editions offer enhancements over their original Nintendo Switch versions. For instance, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom now include additional features such as support for the Zelda Notes service through the Nintendo Switch App, which provides in-game assistance, and achievements exclusive to the Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes
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Nintendo has also introduced a new type of product for the Switch 2: game-key cards. These physical cards do not contain the actual game data but instead hold a key for downloading the game. When you insert a game-key card into your Switch 2, you'll need to download the game. These game-key card cases are clearly labeled at the bottom front of the box, ensuring consumers know what they are purchasing.
Examples of games using this game-key card system include Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster. In contrast, games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not use this system, while the larger Cyberpunk 2077, with a file size of 64 GB on the Switch 2, comes on a traditional cartridge.
