Nintendo: Switch 2 Game-Key Cards Enable Deeper, Larger Content

Nintendo's introduction of Game-Key Cards for the Switch 2 has certainly ignited a fervent discussion among gamers and industry experts alike. When the company unveiled the Switch 2 last month, it revealed that certain Switch 2 game cards would not contain the actual game data but instead a key for downloading the game. Nintendo later clarified that Switch 2 Edition games would include both the game and any upgrades directly on the cartridge.

These Switch 2 Game-Key Cards are physical cards that solely contain a key to download the game of your choice. This means the card you insert into your Switch 2 doesn’t have any game data; you'll need to download the game after inserting the card. Each Game-Key Card's packaging is clearly labeled on the lower front section, ensuring consumers know exactly what they are purchasing.

Games such as Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster feature this game-key card disclaimer, while others like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not. Notably, the expansive Cyberpunk 2077, which occupies 64 GB on the Nintendo Switch 2, comes on a traditional cartridge.

Reactions to the Game-Key Cards have been strong, with Nightdive Studios CEO Stephen Kick expressing disappointment, stating, "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."

In an interview with IGN during the opening of the Nintendo San Francisco store, Doug Bowser, President of Nintendo of America, addressed questions about the future of physical media. He affirmed, “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 of Game-Key Cards, indicating that they allow 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 confirmed using the highest capacity Switch 2 cart, a 64 GB cartridge for Cyberpunk 2077, indicating this is the maximum size for all Nintendo Switch 2 cartridges. Meanwhile, 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 physical third-party Nintendo Switch 2 games revealed so far are Game-Key Cards. Daniel Ahmad, Director of Research & Insights at Niko Partners, highlighted that this focus on Game-Key Cards could strain the eShop around the Switch 2’s launch in June as fans rush to download their games. He added, “Game cards are significantly more expensive than discs (+ increases with each GB), explaining the reasoning for publishers. 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 further noted, “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 on the Nintendo San Francisco store and the Switch 2.