Nintendo has clarified that the physical versions of Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games will include both the original game and the upgrade pack on the same game card. This statement was made to Vooks in response to confusion sparked by conflicting reports from customer service interactions. However, Nintendo also noted that some publishers might opt to release Switch 2 Edition games as download codes within physical packaging, without including a game card.
The statement from Nintendo reads:
"Physical versions of Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games will include the original Nintendo Switch game and its upgrade pack all on the same game card (i.e. they are exclusively Nintendo Switch 2 game cards, with no download code). Alternatively, some publishers may release Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games as download codes in physical packaging, with no game card."
Switch 2 Edition games, priced at $79.99, include titles such as Kirby and The Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star Crossed World, Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. These editions offer enhancements over their original Switch versions. For instance, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom now support the Zelda Notes service in the Nintendo Switch App, which provides in-game assistance and includes achievements on the Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes
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Nintendo has also confirmed that some new Switch 2 game cards will not contain actual game data but instead will provide a key for downloading the game. These game-key cards are physical cards that only hold a download key, requiring users to download the game after inserting the card into their Switch 2. The packaging of these game-key cards will be clearly labeled on the lower front of the box to inform buyers.
Games like Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster feature this game-key card disclaimer, while others such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not. Notably, Cyberpunk 2077, which requires 64 GB of space on the Nintendo Switch 2, is available on a physical cartridge.
