Nintendo's introduction of Game-Key Cards for the Switch 2 has certainly ignited a robust conversation within the gaming community. When the curtains were drawn back on the Switch 2 last month, it was revealed that certain new Switch 2 game cards wouldn't contain the actual game itself but would instead provide a key for a game download. Nintendo later clarified that games labeled as "Switch 2 Edition" would indeed include both the game and any relevant upgrades directly on the cartridge.
Switch 2 Game-Key Cards are physical cards that only include a key to download your selected game. This means that there is no game data on the card you insert into your Switch 2, requiring a download once the card is in place. To ensure clarity for consumers, each Game-Key Card case features a clear label on the lower front section of the box, indicating the nature of the product.
Games such as Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster come with this game-key card disclaimer. In contrast, titles like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not feature this disclaimer. The hefty Cyberpunk 2077, which occupies 64 GB on the Nintendo Switch 2, is provided on a physical cartridge.
The response to Nintendo’s Game-Key Cards has been notably vocal. Nightdive Studios CEO Stephen Kick expressed his disappointment, stating, "Seeing Nintendo do this is a little disheartening. You would hope that a company that big, with such a storied history, would take preservation a little more seriously."
In a recent interview during the opening of the Nintendo San Francisco store, IGN spoke with Nintendo of America's president, Doug Bowser, about the future of physical media in light of the Game-Key Cards. Bowser reassured that, "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
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Bowser further elaborated on the purpose behind Game-Key Cards, emphasizing their role in enabling third-party publishers to 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 highest capacity Switch 2 cart (64 GB) for Cyberpunk 2077, confirming that 64 GB is the maximum size available for all Nintendo Switch 2 cartridges. Meanwhile, Nintendo has kept the storage sizes of its first-party games relatively small:
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 Nintendo Switch 2 games revealed so far are Game-Key Cards. As noted by Daniel Ahmad, Director of Research & Insights at Niko Partners, this emphasis on Game-Key Cards could lead to significant pressure on the eShop around the Switch 2’s launch in June, as fans rush to download their games. Ahmad explained the rationale behind this approach, stating, "Game cards are significantly more expensive than discs (+ increases with each GB). 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."
For more insights, check out IGN's full interview with Doug Bowser, covering the Nintendo San Francisco store and the Switch 2.
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