"Nintendo Switch 2 Game Cards to Feature Download Keys"

Nintendo has announced an innovative approach to game distribution with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, set to launch in June. In a recent customer support post following the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, the company revealed that some of the new Switch 2 game cards will not contain the actual game data but instead will provide a key for a digital download. This means that upon inserting the game-key card into your Switch 2, you'll need an internet connection to download the game.

To help consumers make informed purchases, Nintendo will clearly label these game-key card cases on the lower front of the packaging. This transparency ensures that buyers know exactly what they're getting before making a purchase.

The introduction of game-key cards has sparked discussions among physical gaming enthusiasts who value the convenience of immediate play without downloads. While some worry that these cards might eventually replace traditional game cartridges entirely, current indications suggest otherwise. For instance, while some upcoming titles like Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster will use game-key cards, others such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza will stick with standard cartridges.

It seems that game-key cards will be used primarily for larger games that could benefit from the download approach, such as Hogwarts Legacy or Final Fantasy 7 Remake. However, CD Projekt Red has confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition will ship with a full 64 GB game card on the Switch 2’s launch day, indicating that not all games will follow the key-card route.

During the Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo highlighted the advanced technology of its new red game cards, which boast faster data reading speeds than those of the original Switch. This emphasis on enhanced performance suggests that Nintendo plans to continue offering traditional game cards alongside the new game-key cards.

As the launch date of June 5, 2025, approaches, more details will likely emerge about which games will utilize game-key cards. For a comprehensive overview of all the announcements from today's Direct, click here. To delve deeper into the new technology featured in the Nintendo Switch 2, click here.