Nintendo Reveals Switch 2 Game Cards May Only Offer Download Keys

Nintendo has announced an innovative approach to its new Switch 2 game cards, revealing that not all will contain actual game data. Instead, some will feature a download key, a shift detailed in a recent customer support post following this morning's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct. As the Switch 2 is set to launch in June, fans can continue buying physical Switch games, but there are key changes to note.

The focus is on what Nintendo calls game-key cards: physical cards that solely contain a key to download the game. This means that upon inserting the card into your Switch 2, you'll need an internet connection to download the game. To help consumers, Nintendo will clearly label game-key card cases on the front lower portion of the packaging, ensuring buyers know exactly what they're purchasing.

This development has sparked discussions among fans of physical gaming, who value the ease of plug-and-play without the need for downloads. There's a concern that game-key cards might eventually replace traditional cartridges entirely. However, current evidence suggests this won't be the case, at least not immediately.

Observations from early Switch 2 game box art reveal that while some titles like Street Fighter 6 and Bravely Default remaster include the game-key card disclaimer, others such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not. This indicates that the game-key approach might be limited to larger games that could benefit from the download method, such as Hogwarts Legacy or Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Notably, CD Projekt Red has confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition will be released with a full 64 GB game card on the Switch 2's launch day.

During the Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo emphasized the enhanced technology of its new red game cards, which boast faster data reading speeds than those of the original 2017 console. This suggests that not all game cards will be mere key containers. Nintendo has previously used a similar approach with games like LA Noire and NBA 2K18 on the original Switch, which required additional downloads.

While it's unclear how widespread 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 today's Direct announcements, click here. To explore the new technological features of the Switch 2, click here.