Nintendo has announced that the upcoming Switch 2 will introduce a new type of game card that won't always contain the full game data. Instead, some of these cards will only hold a key for downloading the game. This was detailed in a customer support post released shortly after the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct this morning. When the Switch 2 launches in June, you can still buy physical games, but there are some key points to consider.
The focus of the post is on "game-key cards," which are physical cards that contain a download key rather than the game itself. Once inserted into the Switch 2, you'll need to download the game. These cards will be clearly labeled on the lower front of the packaging, ensuring you know what you're getting before you buy.
The news of game-key cards for the Switch 2 has sparked concerns among fans who prefer traditional cartridges for their ease of use and instant play. There's worry that these cards might eventually replace all standard game cartridges, but current indications suggest this won't be the case immediately.
Social media has highlighted that while some Switch 2 game boxes, like those for Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster, include the game-key card disclaimer, others, such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, do not. This suggests that the game-key card system may be reserved 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 come with a full 64 GB game card on the Switch 2's launch day.
During the Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo emphasized the advanced technology of the new red game cards, boasting faster data reading speeds than the original Switch's cartridges. This suggests that not all Switch 2 games will use game-key cards, as Nintendo wouldn't highlight such technology if all cartridges were merely key containers. It's worth noting that Nintendo has previously used game cards that required additional downloads, as seen with titles like LA Noire and NBA 2K18 on the original Switch.
While it's still unclear how prevalent game-key cards will be for the Switch 2, more details are expected as the launch date of June 5, 2025, approaches. For a comprehensive overview of all the announcements from today's Direct, click here. To learn more about the new technology in the Switch 2, you can click here.
