"Nintendo Reveals Switch 2 Game Cards to Feature Download Keys"

Nintendo has announced an innovative shift in how physical game cartridges will function with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. According to a recent customer support post released following the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, the company will introduce game-key cards alongside traditional game cartridges when the Switch 2 launches in June 2025. These game-key cards will not contain actual game data but instead provide a key for downloading the game onto your console.

The new approach is clearly outlined in the customer support document, which mentions that game-key card packaging will feature a specific label on the lower front of the box. This label will alert buyers that they are purchasing a card that requires an internet connection to download the game upon insertion into the Switch 2. This move has sparked discussions among fans who cherish the convenience of physical media and the ability to play without an internet connection.

The news of game-key cards for the Switch 2 has stirred the gaming community, especially those who prefer the plug-and-play experience. There's apprehension that these cards might eventually replace traditional game cartridges entirely. However, initial observations of Switch 2 game box art, such as Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster, show the game-key card disclaimer, while others like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not, suggesting a selective application of this new format.

It seems that Nintendo might reserve the game-key card approach for larger games that could benefit from this strategy, such as Hogwarts Legacy or Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Interestingly, CD Projekt Red has confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition will launch with a full 64 GB game card on the Switch 2's release day, indicating that traditional cartridges will still have a significant role.

During the Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo highlighted the advanced technology of their upgraded red game cards, boasting faster data reading speeds compared to the original Switch. This emphasis on performance suggests that not all future games will shift to the game-key format. Nintendo has previously used a mixed model with games like LA Noire and NBA 2K18 on the original Switch, which required additional downloads even with a physical cartridge.

As the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 approaches on June 5, 2025, more details about the use of game-key cards will become clear. For comprehensive insights into all the announcements from today's Direct, click here. To delve deeper into the new technology featured in Nintendo's latest hardware, click here.