"Switch 2 Game-Key Cards Enable Deeper, Larger Content, Says Nintendo"

Nintendo's introduction of Game-Key Cards for the Switch 2 has ignited a fervent discussion within the gaming community. When Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2 last month, it revealed that certain Switch 2 game cards wouldn't contain actual games, but rather keys for downloading them. To clarify, Nintendo confirmed that Switch 2 Edition games include both the game and any upgrades directly on the cartridge.

Game-Key Cards are physical cards that simply hold a key for downloading the game you purchase. This means there’s no game data on the card itself; you'll need to download the game once you insert the card into your Switch 2. The packaging of these cards is clearly labeled on the front lower section, providing buyers with immediate clarity on what they are purchasing.

Some titles, such as Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster, feature this Game-Key Card disclaimer. In contrast, games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not, while Cyberpunk 2077 comes on a 64 GB cartridge for the Nintendo Switch 2.

The response to Game-Key Cards has been mixed, with Nightdive Studios CEO Stephen Kick expressing disappointment, stating, "Seeing Nintendo do this is a little disheartening. You would hope that a company that big, that has such a storied history, would take preservation a little more seriously."

During an interview about the new Nintendo San Francisco store, IGN asked Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser about the role of physical media in Nintendo's future, especially in light of Game-Key Cards. Bowser affirmed, "In the immediate future, physical games are still a key part of our business. And we value our relationships in particular with our retailers, and want to make sure we have products available for them to sell to their consumers."

Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes

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Bowser further elaborated on the purpose of Game-Key Cards, indicating they help third-party publishers bring larger games to the Switch 2. "When you look at Game-Key Cards, for us, our goal with Nintendo Switch 2 – similar to what we were able to accomplish on Nintendo Switch – is to have the broadest and deepest library of content we possibly can," he explained. "And that includes our publishing partners. And Game-Key Cards are a way that our publishing partners are able to bring more content onto the platform, deeper and larger, more immersive content on the platform."

CD Projekt opted for the maximum 64 GB cartridge size for Cyberpunk 2077 on the Switch 2, confirming this as the largest available capacity for Nintendo Switch 2 cartridges. Meanwhile, Nintendo keeps its first-party game sizes relatively small.

Nintendo Switch 2 game storage sizes:

Mario Kart World: 23.4 GB
Donkey Kong Bananza: 10 GB
Nintendo Classics: GameCube app: 3.5 GB
Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition ＋ Jamboree TV: 7.7 GB
Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition ＋ Star Crossed World: 5.7 GB

Almost all third-party Nintendo Switch 2 games revealed so far use Game-Key Cards. Daniel Ahmad, Director of Research & Insights at Niko Partners, noted that this approach may strain the eShop around the Switch 2’s June launch as fans download their games. "Game cards are significantly more expensive than discs (+ increases with each GB)," Ahmad explained, shedding light on why publishers prefer this approach. "It takes time to ramp up production of multiple storage capacity game cards. Digital games / lower capacity cards offer higher margins for publishers. Digital is the majority of sales."

Christopher Dring, Editor-In-Chief and Co-Founder of The Game Business, likened Game-Key Cards to "basically Christmas/birthday present boxes for wrapping up." He added, "Ultimately, with fewer games retailers, rising manufacturing costs, the fact that younger generations just don’t care, plus the drive for sustainability, all points in one direction for physical media."

For a deeper insight into Nintendo's strategies, check out IGN’s full interview with Doug Bowser about the Nintendo San Francisco store and the Switch 2.