Much like its predecessor, the Nintendo Switch, the Switch 2 accommodates both physical and digital titles. This duality provides gamers with the choice of how they prefer to amass their gaming collection, standing out in an industry where some consoles are limited to digital formats only.

However, an important caveat to consider is that purchasing a physical game for the Switch 2 doesn’t equate to owning the game outright. In many cases, the distinction between a physical and digital version may be minimal—unless you have a fondness for the cartridge and its box art, this could affect your buying choices.

Understanding Switch 2 Game-Key Cards

When the Switch 2 hits the market, keep an eye out for a white stripe at the bottom of select game covers, marked with “GAME-KEY CARD” branding. This is a new type of game card that distinguishes itself from traditional cartridges.

Credit: Nintendo

These game-key cards do not store the entire game; instead, they provide a digital key for downloading the complete game to your console, hence the term “game-key card.”

Once you insert the cartridge into your Switch 2, you will be guided through the steps to download the game. Keep in mind that you’ll need a reliable internet connection to initiate this process. Gone are the days of enjoying a game straight from the cartridge.

Additionally, it’s crucial to ensure sufficient storage space on your console for the download. The required space will be indicated on the game package. This presents another challenge, as one appealing aspect of physical games used to be their efficiency in managing limited storage. While the Switch 2 does have quadrupled internal storage compared to its predecessor, accumulating these digital-key games may necessitate extra storage solutions. Note that microSD cards from the original Switch are incompatible with the new device.

Once the game has been successfully downloaded, maintaining an internet connection will be essential for launching it. After that, players have the option to enjoy the game offline, as long as they use the cartridge as one would with traditional physical titles.

Details regarding which specific titles will use this system and how game-key cards may impact pricing remain unclear. For instance, Mario Kart World is listed at $80.

Reasons Behind Nintendo’s Strategy

The initial reaction to this new cartridge format might be one of perplexity. Why create a game card that doesn’t hold the full title? Why not simply release the game digitally? This approach does not cater to those without stable internet connections, as downloading is still a prerequisite.

Nintendo of America’s president Doug Bowser addressed this in a conversation with The Verge, explaining that the game key serves as “a digital game on a card,” allowing developers to market larger games that cannot fit on traditional cartridges while still ensuring retail availability.

This business model aligns well with industry trends. While Nintendo typically refrains from sharing sales figures, reports suggest approximately 80% of game sales are still physical—a significant statistic, especially considering the increasing digital emphasis in the gaming landscape. The enhanced capabilities of Switch 2 further support the notion that larger titles require more storage space than older titles.

From a consumer standpoint, however, this innovation may offer little advantage. The intrinsic advantage of physical games lies in their durability: once purchased, physical media remains in your possession (as opposed to digital licenses, which can be retracted at any time). If a title becomes unsupported, those who relied on game-key cards might find themselves in a precarious position, especially if future console transfers are necessary.

Fortunately, not every title on the Switch 2 will adopt this system; there will still be games that include the full experience on their cartridges. Yet, it is essential for gamers to remain discerning as they step into this new Nintendo phase. For those who prefer tangible purchases, considering a digital option for these game-key cards could prove more beneficial in the long run.