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

Nintendo’s introduction of Game-Key Cards for the upcoming Switch 2 has certainly stirred the gaming community. When Nintendo unveiled details about the Switch 2 last month, it revealed that some new physical releases wouldn’t contain the full game on the cartridge. Instead, they would function as Game-Key Cards—physical cards that provide a download key rather than storing the actual game data.

Nintendo later clarified that certain titles, labeled as "Switch 2 Edition" games, would still include both the game and any associated upgrade directly on the cartridge. This distinction helps players understand what they’re purchasing upfront, ensuring transparency in product expectations.

Understanding Switch 2 Game-Key Cards

Game-Key Cards are physical cartridges that don't contain the full game file. Instead, inserting one into your Switch 2 will prompt you to download the corresponding title from the eShop. Each Game-Key Card is clearly marked on the front of its packaging, so buyers can easily identify whether the product requires a download or not.

Titles such as Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster come in this format, while others like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not. Notably, larger games such as Cyberpunk 2077, which occupies 64 GB, are delivered on full-capacity cartridges.

Industry Reaction to Game-Key Cards

The response from industry figures has been mixed. Stephen Kick, CEO of Nightdive Studios, expressed disappointment with the direction, 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 more seriously.”

When IGN asked Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser about the future of physical media during an event celebrating the opening of the Nintendo San Francisco store, he emphasized that physical games remain important to Nintendo’s business model.

“In the immediate future, physical games are still a key part of our business,” Bowser said. “We value our relationships, particularly with our retailers, and want to make sure we have products available for them to sell to their consumers.”

The Purpose Behind Game-Key Cards

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Bowser further explained that Game-Key Cards were introduced to help third-party developers bring more robust and immersive experiences to the Switch 2 platform. He noted that these cards offer flexibility for publishers who may face limitations with physical storage capacity and production costs.

CD Projekt Red opted for the largest available cartridge size—64 GB—for *Cyberpunk 2077*, confirming that this is the maximum storage capacity for Switch 2 game cards. Meanwhile, Nintendo has kept its own first-party titles relatively lightweight:

• 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

Most third-party titles announced for Switch 2 so far have been confirmed as Game-Key Cards. According to Daniel Ahmad, Director of Research & Insights at Niko Partners, this trend could place significant pressure on the Nintendo eShop during the console's launch period in June, as players rush to download their purchases.

“Game cards are significantly more expensive than discs—and the cost increases per gigabyte,” Ahmad pointed out. “It takes time to ramp up production for multiple storage capacities. Digital distribution and lower-capacity cards offer better margins for publishers. Digital already accounts for the majority of sales.”

Are Game-Key Cards Just Empty Packaging?

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 that the decline of physical retail, increasing manufacturing costs, generational shifts in consumer behavior, and environmental concerns all point toward a diminishing role for physical media in the long run.

For more insights into Nintendo’s strategy and the future of Switch 2, check out IGN’s full interview with Doug Bowser, including behind-the-scenes details on the new Nintendo San Francisco store.