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

Nintendo's introduction of Game-Key Cards for the Switch 2 has certainly ignited a fiery debate within the gaming community. When the curtains were lifted on the Switch 2 last month, it was revealed that some Switch 2 game cards would not contain the actual game but rather a key for downloading it. Nintendo later clarified that Switch 2 Edition games would include both the game and any upgrades directly on the cartridge.

Switch 2 Game-Key Cards are essentially physical cards that hold a key for downloading the game of your choice. This means that upon inserting the card into your Switch 2, you'll need to download the game data. The packaging for these Game-Key Cards clearly indicates this on the front of the box, ensuring buyers are aware of what they're purchasing.

Games such as Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster come with this game-key card disclaimer, while others like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not. For instance, Cyberpunk 2077, which occupies a hefty 64 GB on the Nintendo Switch 2, is available on a traditional cartridge.

The response to these Game-Key Cards has been robust, with Nightdive Studios CEO Stephen Kick expressing disappointment: "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 at the opening of the Nintendo San Francisco store, IGN posed a question to Nintendo of America's president, Doug Bowser, regarding the future of physical media and the role of Game-Key Cards. Bowser responded, "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 that they are a means to help third-party publishers deliver larger and more immersive games to the Switch 2 platform. He stated, "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. 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 confirmed using the maximum capacity of 64 GB for Cyberpunk 2077 on the Switch 2, which is the largest size available for all Nintendo Switch 2 cartridges. In contrast, Nintendo has kept 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

Interestingly, nearly all third-party Nintendo Switch 2 games revealed so far use Game-Key Cards. Daniel Ahmad, Director of Research & Insights at Niko Partners, highlighted that this trend might put significant pressure on the eShop around the Switch 2's launch in June, as fans rush to download their games. Ahmad explained, "Game cards are significantly more expensive than discs (+ increases with each GB). 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, described Game-Key Cards as "basically Christmas/birthday present boxes for wrapping up," and 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 dive into the future of Nintendo's physical media strategy, check out IGN's full interview with Doug Bowser, which also covers the opening of the Nintendo San Francisco store and more about the Switch 2.