It has emerged that nearly all physical third-party Nintendo Switch 2 games in Japan revealed so far are Game-Key Cards, and it appears to be a similar situation in the West. As reported by Gematsu, the launch of Switch 2 pre-orders in Japan revealed that all physical third-party games except for CD Projekt's Cyberpunk 2077, which is not a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, are shipped on Game-Key Cards. These require an internet connection to download the full game.
Ys X: Proud Nordics and No Sleep for Kaname Date are also game-key cards in Japan. And retail descriptions for Split Fiction list it as a code-in-a-box. pic.twitter.com/dCTUsTmNQZ
— Gematsu (@gematsu) April 24, 2025
In the West, Sega's Switch 2 games are also Game-Key Cards. For instance, the listing for Sonic X Shadow Generations on Walmart confirms this. In fact, only four third-party physical Switch 2 games are not Game-Key Cards: Cyberpunk 2077, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion - Nintendo Switch 2, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma - Nintendo Switch 2, and No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES Aiba Edition.
When Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2, it confirmed that some new Switch 2 game cards would not contain the actual game but instead a key for a game download. Nintendo later clarified that Switch 2 Edition games would include both the game and any upgrades on the cartridge.
Nintendo Switch 2 game-key card warning. Image credit: Nintendo Customer Support. Switch 2 Game-Key Cards are physical cards that only contain a key to download your chosen game. This means there's no actual game data on the card you insert into your Switch 2, and you'll need to download it once the card is inserted. Every Game-Key Card case is clearly labeled on the lower portion of the front of the box, providing a heads-up about what you're purchasing.
Games like Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster feature this game-key card disclaimer. Others, such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, do not. The sizable Cyberpunk 2077, which occupies 64 GB on Nintendo Switch 2, comes on a cartridge.
Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes
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As noted by Daniel Ahmad, Director of Research & Insights at Niko Partners, this emphasis on Game-Key Cards could place immense pressure on the eShop around the Switch 2's launch in June as fans rush to download their games.
All the Switch 2 bundles come with a download code.
Mario Kart World is 24GB.
Most games come on a game key card and require a download.
The Switch 2 launches globally on the same day.
I am not a religious man, but I ask you all to pray for the Eshop servers on June 5.
— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) April 24, 2025
Ahmad added that "Game cards are significantly more expensive than discs (+ increases with each GB)," explaining the rationale behind publishers' decisions. "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 the Game-Key Cards as "basically Christmas/birthday present boxes for wrapping up." He further elaborated, "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."
Switch 2 pre-orders began on April 24 and sold out rapidly. Now, Nintendo fans are posting fake Switch 2 auctions to flood eBay and drown out scalper listings.
