Nintendo's introduction of Game-Key Cards for the Switch 2 has 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 on the cartridge itself.

Switch 2 Game-Key Cards are essentially physical cards that house a key for downloading your selected game. This means you won't find any game data on the card itself; you'll need to download the game after inserting the card into your Switch 2. For clarity, these Game-Key Card cases feature a clear label on the lower front of the box, ensuring you know exactly what you're buying.

Notable titles such as Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster come with this game-key card disclaimer, while others like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not. The sizable Cyberpunk 2077, weighing in at 64 GB on Nintendo Switch 2, is available on a cartridge.

The response to Nintendo’s Game-Key Cards has been robust, with Nightdive Studios CEO Stephen Kick voicing his 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 at the opening of the Nintendo San Francisco store, IGN asked Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser about the role of physical media in Nintendo's future, particularly in light of Game-Key Cards.

“In the immediate future, physical games are still a key part of our business,” Bowser responded. “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, suggesting 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,” Bowser stated.

“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 that it opted for the highest capacity Switch 2 cart (64 GB) for Cyberpunk 2077, indicating that 64 GB is the maximum size for all Nintendo Switch 2 cartridges. Meanwhile, Nintendo has kept the storage sizes of its first-party games relatively small.

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, noted that this reliance on Game-Key Cards could lead to significant pressure on the eShop around the Switch 2’s launch in June, as fans eagerly download their games.

“Game cards are significantly more expensive than discs (+ increases with each GB),” Ahmad added, 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, went as far as to describe Game-Key Cards as “basically Christmas/birthday present boxes for wrapping up.”

“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,” Dring added.

For more insights, check out IGN’s full interview with Doug Bowser, which covers the Nintendo San Francisco store and the Switch 2.