With the Nintendo Switch 2 just around the corner, excitement is building, yet there’s a sense of unease among gamers who love their physical game collections. Recently, it has been noticed that most third-party titles for the upcoming console are being released on Game-Key Cards rather than the traditional cartridges, a choice that’s leaving many collectors worried.
In an unusual move for physical game enthusiasts, the only third-party game confirmed so far to come on an actual cartridge is Cyberpunk 2077. Meanwhile, other popular titles such as Street Fighter 6 are also opting for these Game-Key Cards. This has stirred up concerns about what this means for those who cherish physical copies, as these new cards don’t contain any actual game data, which might render them pointless and problematic for future gameplay.
Already, demand for the Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan is skyrocketing beyond the expected supply available at launch. Although this decision on game formats may not significantly affect sales, it’s clear it could disappoint the collectors among us. As stores prepare for the console’s debut, it’s apparent that fully understanding these physical copies will be essential.
During the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, it was clarified that some games would be distributed on these Game-Key Cards. These cards don’t hold the game itself but only provide access to download it onto the console from Nintendo’s servers. While this isn’t an entirely novel concept within gaming, the fact that nearly all third-party games for the Switch 2 are heading in this direction is raising eyebrows. So far, with the exception of Cyberpunk 2077, none have their data physically bundled, primarily including only the digital access license.
According to early listings shared by Gematsu, it looks like most of the third-party offerings aren’t using traditional cartridges. From Bravely Default: Flying Fairy to Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut, Game-Key Cards featuring just the game’s license are what buyers are likely to find when they pick up that physical box. Nonetheless, these findings depend heavily on box images, with not all designs revealed yet, so this trend could potentially shift as more details emerge.
The Switch 2 is indeed capable of accommodating game data up to 64 GB on its cartridges. Despite this capacity, it appears developers are leaning towards the smaller-sized Game-Key Cards instead. This decision puzzles many, as downloading games may not pose a major inconvenience for those with fast internet, but for collectors, a box devoid of game data feels hollow and purely decorative.
For practical reasons, while some anticipate potential issues if digital platforms become obsolete or note present-day hurdles when games require a constant internet connection, it’s unlikely we’ll see a major change regionally. As gamers worldwide gear up to welcome the Nintendo Switch 2, ensuring a robust internet connection and sufficient storage space might be the new necessity accommodating the latest titles.
As the Switch 2 release date looms closer, it delivers a mix of anticipation and contemplation for collectors and casual gamers alike, needing them to adapt to this evolving gaming landscape.
