Nintendo Reveals Switch 2 Game Cards to Feature Download Keys

Nintendo has announced a significant change in its approach to physical game cartridges for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, set to launch in June. In a recent customer support post following the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, the company revealed that some new Switch 2 game cards will not contain the full game but instead will include a key for downloading the game.

When the Switch 2 hits the market, fans can continue to buy physical Switch games as they have for the past eight years, but there are key details to consider. The post specifically addresses game-key cards—physical cards that only provide a download key. These cards will not have any actual game data; instead, you'll need to download the game after inserting the card into your console. To help consumers make informed purchases, each game-key card's packaging will clearly indicate this on the lower front portion of the box.

Nintendo Switch 2 game-key card warning. Image credit: Nintendo Customer Support.

The introduction of game-key cards has sparked discussions among fans who value the traditional plug-and-play experience of physical games. Concerns have arisen that these cards might eventually replace all standard game cartridges. However, current evidence suggests that this might not be the case. While some Switch 2 box art, such as for "Street Fighter 6" and the "Bravely Default remaster," includes the game-key card disclaimer, others like "Mario Kart World" and "Donkey Kong Bananza" do not.

It appears that Nintendo may use the game-key card system primarily for larger games that could benefit from this approach, such as "Hogwarts Legacy" or "Final Fantasy 7 Remake." Notably, CD Projekt Red has confirmed that "Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition" will ship with a full 64 GB game card on the Switch 2's launch day.

Nintendo also highlighted the enhanced technology of the new red game cards during the Switch 2 Direct, boasting faster data reading speeds compared to the original Switch. This emphasis on improved hardware suggests that not all game cards will be simple download keys. Nintendo has previously used a hybrid model with games like "LA Noire" and "NBA 2K18" on the original Switch, which required additional downloads.

As the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 approaches on June 5, 2025, more details about the use of game-key cards will become clear. For a comprehensive overview of all the announcements from today's Direct, click here. To explore the new technology features of the Nintendo Switch 2, click here.