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

Nintendo's introduction of Game-Key Cards for the Switch 2 has ignited a lively debate among gamers and industry professionals. When Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2 last month, they revealed that some Switch 2 game cards would not contain the actual game but rather a key for downloading it. Nintendo later clarified that Switch 2 Edition games would include both the game and any upgrades directly on the cartridge.

Switch 2 Game-Key Cards are physical cards that include a download key instead of the game itself. This means you'll need to download the game after inserting the card into your Switch 2. These cards are clearly marked on the front of their packaging, providing transparency about what you're purchasing.

Notable titles such as Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster utilize this Game-Key Card approach, while others like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not. For instance, Cyberpunk 2077, which occupies 64 GB on the Switch 2, is available on a physical cartridge.

The response to Nintendo's Game-Key Cards has been mixed, with Nightdive Studios CEO Stephen Kick expressing disappointment: "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 asked Nintendo of America's president, Doug Bowser, about the future of physical media in light of Game-Key Cards. 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

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Bowser elaborated on the purpose behind Game-Key Cards, explaining that they help third-party publishers bring larger games to the Switch 2. "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," he said. "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 confirmed using the highest capacity Switch 2 cart (64 GB) for Cyberpunk 2077, noting that 64 GB is the maximum size for Nintendo Switch 2 cartridges. In contrast, Nintendo keeps its first-party game sizes smaller.

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 announced so far use Game-Key Cards. Daniel Ahmad, Director of Research & Insights at Niko Partners, highlighted that this could strain the eShop around the Switch 2's June launch as fans rush to download their games. "Game cards are significantly more expensive than discs (+ increases with each GB)," Ahmad noted, explaining the 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, check out IGN's full interview with Doug Bowser regarding the Nintendo San Francisco store and the Switch 2.