Nintendo has recently announced that the upcoming Switch 2 game cards will sometimes serve as keys for game downloads rather than containing the actual game data. This new approach was detailed in a customer support post released following the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct this morning. When the Switch 2 launches in June, consumers can continue buying physical Switch games as they have done over the past eight years, but they should be aware of some changes.
The post specifically discusses game-key cards: these are physical cards that provide a key to download a game rather than storing the game data itself. Upon inserting a game-key card into your Switch 2, you will need to download the game. Each game-key card will be clearly marked on the lower front of its packaging, ensuring that buyers are informed about what they are purchasing.
News of this change has stirred concerns among fans of physical gaming, who value the traditional plug-and-play experience without the need for downloads and an internet connection. There's a worry that these game-key cards might eventually replace all standard cartridges, but current indications suggest otherwise.
Social media has been abuzz with observations that while some Switch 2 game covers, such as those for Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster, carry the game-key card disclaimer, others like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not. It seems that the game-key card approach might be limited to larger games that could benefit from this method, such as Hogwarts Legacy or Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Notably, CD Projekt Red has already confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition will come with a full 64 GB game card at the Switch 2's launch.
During the Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo highlighted the advanced technology of its new red game cards, which boast faster data reading speeds compared to the original 2017 Switch. This emphasis on performance suggests that not all cartridges will be mere key holders. Nintendo's history of mixing physical and downloadable content, as seen with games like LA Noire and NBA 2K18 on the original Switch, further supports this approach.
While it's too early to predict the extent to which game-key cards will be used for the Switch 2, more details are expected as the launch date of June 5, 2025, approaches. For a comprehensive overview of what was revealed during today's Direct, click here. To delve deeper into the new technology featured in Nintendo's latest hardware, you can click here.
