Nintendo Switch 2 Games in Japan Mostly Use Game-Key Cards, Similar Trend in West

It has emerged that nearly all physical third-party Nintendo Switch 2 games revealed in Japan so far are Game-Key Cards, and a similar trend appears to be happening in the West.

As reported by Gematsu, the launch of Switch 2 pre-orders in Japan showed that all physical third-party games, with the exception of CD Projekt's Cyberpunk 2077 and games labeled as Nintendo Switch 2 Editions, are shipped on Game-Key Cards. These require an internet connection to download the full game.

Ys X: Proud Nordics and No Sleep for Kaname Date are also game-key cards in Japan. And retail descriptions for Split Fiction list it as a code-in-a-box. pic.twitter.com/dCTUsTmNQZ

— Gematsu (@gematsu) April 24, 2025

In the West, Sega's Switch 2 games are also Game-Key Cards. For example, the listing for Sonic X Shadow Generations on Walmart confirms this.

In fact, we've identified only four third-party physical Switch 2 games that are not Game-Key Cards: the previously mentioned Cyberpunk 2077, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion - Nintendo Switch 2, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma - Nintendo Switch 2, and No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES Aiba Edition.

When Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2, it confirmed that certain new Switch 2 game cards would not contain the actual game but instead a key for downloading it. Nintendo later clarified that Switch 2 Edition games include both the game and any upgrades on the cartridge.

Nintendo Switch 2 game-key card warning. Image credit: Nintendo Customer Support.Switch 2 Game-Key Cards are physical cards that only contain a key to download the chosen game. This means there's no actual game data on the card you insert into your Switch 2, so you'll need to download it once the card is inserted. Each Game-Key Card case is clearly labeled on the lower portion of the front of the box, providing immediate clarity for consumers about what they're purchasing.

Games like Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster do indeed feature this game-key card disclaimer. Others, such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, do not. The substantial Cyberpunk 2077, which requires 64 GB on the Nintendo Switch 2, comes on a cartridge.

Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes

View 7 ImagesDaniel Ahmad, Director of Research & Insights at Niko Partners, pointed out that the focus on Game-Key Cards might put extreme pressure on the eShop around the Switch 2's launch in June as fans rush to download their games.

All the Switch 2 bundles come with a download code.

Mario Kart World is 24GB.

Most games come on a game key card and require a download.

The Switch 2 launches globally on the same day.

I am not a religious man, but I ask you all to pray for the Eshop servers on June 5.

— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) April 24, 2025

Ahmad added, "Game cards are significantly more expensive than discs (+ increases with each GB)," 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, described the 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.

Switch 2 pre-orders began on April 24 and quickly sold out. Now, Nintendo fans are posting fake Switch 2 auctions on eBay to flood the site and counteract scalper listings.