"Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Cards Boost Third-Party Content Depth and Immersion"

The introduction of Nintendo's Game-Key Cards for the Switch 2 has certainly stirred the gaming community. When Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2 last month, they revealed that certain Switch 2 game cards would not contain the actual game but instead provide a key for downloading the game. Nintendo later clarified that Switch 2 Edition games would include both the game and an upgrade directly on the cartridge.

The Game-Key Cards for the Switch 2 are physical cards that hold a key for downloading your chosen game. Upon inserting the card into your Switch 2, you'll need to download the game, as the card itself does not contain any game data. These cards are clearly labeled on the front lower portion of their packaging, ensuring buyers are aware of what they are purchasing.

Notable titles like Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster utilize this Game-Key Card system, while others such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not. For instance, the hefty Cyberpunk 2077, which requires 64 GB 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 his disappointment, stating, "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 new Nintendo San Francisco store, IGN posed a question to Doug Bowser, President of Nintendo of America, about the future of physical media. 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

Bowser further elaborated on the purpose behind Game-Key Cards, indicating that they help third-party publishers bring larger games to the Switch 2. 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 opted for the maximum capacity of 64 GB for Cyberpunk 2077 on the Switch 2, confirming this as the largest available size for Switch 2 cartridges. Meanwhile, Nintendo has kept the storage requirements for their first-party titles relatively low.

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 games for the Nintendo Switch 2 announced so far are Game-Key Cards. Daniel Ahmad, Director of Research & Insights at Niko Partners, pointed out that this could lead to increased pressure on the eShop at the Switch 2's launch in June, as fans rush to download their games. Ahmad also noted, "Game cards are significantly more expensive than discs (+ increases with each GB)," highlighting the economic 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 Game-Key Cards as "basically Christmas/birthday present boxes for wrapping up." He 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 more insights, you can check out IGN's full interview with Doug Bowser, which covers the new Nintendo San Francisco store and additional details on the Switch 2.

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