Nintendo's Switch 2 Game Cards to Feature Download Codes

Nintendo has officially clarified that the new Switch 2 game cards will not always contain the full game data; in some cases, they will simply provide a download key for the digital version.

The company behind Super Mario Bros. outlined its updated strategy for physical game cartridges in a customer support article released shortly after today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct. According to the post, when the Switch 2 launches this June, players can continue buying physical Switch titles just as they have for the past eight years, though there are some key details to be aware of.

The support article highlights game-key cards—physical cards that only store a download key rather than the actual game. This means the card inserted into your Switch 2 won't contain game data; you'll need to download the title after inserting it. Each game-key card package will be clearly marked with a label on the lower front of the case, making it easy to identify the type of purchase before buying.

The news of Nintendo adopting game-key cards for the Switch 2 has stirred concern among physical media enthusiasts who appreciate the plug-and-play convenience that doesn't require extended downloads or an internet connection. Some worry these cards may eventually replace traditional cartridges entirely, but current evidence suggests that's unlikely to happen soon.

Social media users have pointed out that while some early Switch 2 box art—including titles like Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster—displays the game-key card notice, other games such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not feature this label.

It appears the game-key card system will likely be reserved for particularly large games that benefit from this approach—titles such as Hogwarts Legacy or Final Fantasy 7 Remake. That said, developer CD Projekt Red has already confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition will come on a 64 GB game card available on the Switch 2's launch day.

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Moreover, as highlighted during the Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo appears enthusiastic about the new technology behind its advanced red game cards. These cartridges are reportedly capable of faster data loading speeds compared to the original 2017 hybrid console—a feature the company wouldn't emphasize if all cartridges were merely download keys. It's also worth remembering that Nintendo has previously stretched the definition of game cards, with original Switch titles like LA Noire and NBA 2K18 requiring additional downloads right out of the box.

It's still too early to determine how many Switch 2 titles will use game-key cards, but more details will emerge as the launch approaches. The Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled to release on June 5, 2025. For a full recap of today's comprehensive Direct, click here. To explore the new hardware features Nintendo's latest console introduces, click here.