Nintendo's introduction of Game-Key Cards for the Switch 2 has certainly stirred up the gaming community. When Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2 last month, it revealed that some new Switch 2 game cards won't contain the actual game but instead will hold a key for downloading the game. Nintendo later clarified that Switch 2 Edition games will include both the game and any upgrades directly on the cartridge.
Switch 2 Game-Key Cards are physical cards that only contain a key for downloading your selected game. This means there's no game data on the card itself; you'll need to download the game after inserting the card. These cards are clearly labeled on the front lower portion of the packaging, ensuring consumers are aware of what they're buying.
Games like Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster feature this game-key card disclaimer, while others such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not. Notably, the large-scale Cyberpunk 2077, which requires 64 GB of space on the Nintendo Switch 2, is available on a cartridge.
The response to Nintendo's Game-Key Cards has been vocal, 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 about the opening of the Nintendo San Francisco store, IGN posed a question to Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser regarding the future of physical media in light 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 they're designed to 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," Bowser 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 confirmed that they used the highest capacity Switch 2 cart (64 GB) for Cyberpunk 2077, indicating that 64 GB is the maximum size for all Nintendo Switch 2 cartridges. However, 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
Almost all third-party physical Nintendo Switch 2 games revealed so far are Game-Key Cards. Daniel Ahmad, Director of Research & Insights at Niko Partners, noted that this focus could lead to significant pressure on the eShop around the Switch 2's launch in June as fans rush to download their games.
"Game cards are significantly more expensive than discs (+ increases with each GB)," Ahmad added, explaining the rationale behind publishers' choices. "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, went as far as to describe Game-Key Cards as "basically Christmas/birthday present boxes for wrapping up."
"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," Dring added.
For more insights on the Nintendo San Francisco store and the Switch 2, check out IGN’s full interview with Doug Bowser.
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