Japanese store listings show that nearly every third-party game onNintendo Switch 2announced so far will be on a Game-Key Card, meaning that they’ll require an internet connection for purchasers to download the game. Nintendo had previously described this option for third-party companies, which lets them releasephysical game cards without actually having the game inside, instead acting as a “key” for downloading the title on their Switch 2.
Gematsupointed out these Japanese store listings on X (viaVGC), whichincludeStreet Fighter 6,Sonic x Shadow Generations,Yakuza 0, and several other titlesshowing the disclaimer on the box art signaling that these physical releases are Game-Key Cards. There are some known exceptions, as thephysical version ofCyberpunk 2077will have the full game on the card itself, as will some Switch 2 Edition games coming from third parties.
Many Switch 2 Third-Party Games Require Downloads In The West
But There Are Some Exceptions
Looking at the USBest Buywebsite,many third-party games also appear to be trapped in Game-Key Cards. As with Japan, the Game-Key Card banner appears on the box art forStreet Fighter 6 Year 1-2 Fighers Edition,Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Edition,Raidou Remastered, and therecently announcedMadden NFL 26. While the banner doesn’t show up forNo Sleep For Kaname Date, the Best Buy listing mentions that the game is on a Game-Key Card.
Exceptions include the aforementionedCyberpunk 2077and the Switch 2 Edition releases ofRune Factory: Guardians of AzumaandStory of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, both released by Marvelous. The publisher had previously revealed on its website thatSwitch 2 Edition game cards will also contain the Switch 1 versionsto play on the original console. As Switch 1 owners remember,some physical third-party games for that platform required a full or partial download of the game, purportedly due to the high costs of game cards with higher storage capacity, but this requirement seems more prevalent for Switch 2 so far.
Consumers Are Unhappy About Not Having Actual “Physical” Games
Since their existence was known, the concept of Game-Key Cards has received negative consumer reception, with many arguing that these games are barely “physical” releases since they aren’t in the cards themselves. Commentators online have asserted that thesedownload-only cards are counterproductive to game preservationefforts, andfears are prevalent about these games becoming inaccessible in the future.
With high-end Switch 2 games likely having large file sizes, there isalso concern that the Switch 2 internal storage won’t be big enough, requiring the purchase of microSD Express cards. The gaming industry is slowly but surely shifting towards digital-only platforms, but consumers are pushing back against the notion. These Game-Key Cards appear to be a halfway point between physical and digital media, andNintendo Switch 2owners will have to start dealing with the reality that they’re here to stay.
