Nintendo has recently confirmed that the new Switch 2 game cards will not always contain the actual game data. Instead, some of these cards will only include a key for downloading the game. This revelation was shared in a customer support post that followed this morning's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct. As the Switch 2 is set to launch in June, consumers can continue to purchase physical games, but there are important details to consider.
The focus of the post is on game-key cards, which are physical cards that contain a download key rather than the game itself. When you insert these cards into your Switch 2, you'll need to download the game. These cards will be clearly labeled on the front of the box, ensuring that buyers are informed about what they are purchasing.
It seems that the game-key card approach will be used primarily for larger games that could benefit from this method, such as Hogwarts Legacy or Final Fantasy 7 Remake. However, CD Projekt Red has confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition will include a full 64 GB game card at the Switch 2's launch.
During the Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo highlighted the enhanced technology of its new red game cards, which boast faster data reading speeds than the original Switch's cartridges. This suggests that not all Switch 2 games will rely on game-key cards. Nintendo has previously used a similar approach with games like LA Noire and NBA 2K18 on the original Switch, which required additional downloads.
As the launch date of June 5, 2025, approaches, more details will become clear about the extent to which game-key cards will be used. For more information on today's Direct and the new technology in the Switch 2, you can click here and here respectively.
