It has emerged that the majority bodily third-party Nintendo Switch 2 video games in Japan revealed to this point are Game-Key Cards, and it appears like an analogous scenario within the West.
As reported by Gematsu, the launch of Switch 2 pre-orders in Japan revealed all bodily third-party video games to this point aside from CD Projekt’s Cyberpunk 2077 and that aren’t Nintendo Switch 2 Editions, ship on Game-Key Cards and thus require entry to the web to obtain the total sport.
Ys X: Proud Nordics and No Sleep for Kaname Date are additionally game-key playing cards in Japan. And retail descriptions for Split Fiction checklist it as a code-in-a-box. pic.twitter.com/dCTUsTmNQZ
— Gematsu (@gematsu) April 24, 2025
But what’s the scenario within the West? Here, Sega’s Switch 2 video games are Game-Key Cards. The itemizing for Sonic X Shadow Generations on Walmart, for instance, confirms as a lot.
In truth, we’ve discovered solely 4 third-party bodily Switch 2 video games that are not Game-Key Cards: the aforementioned 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 pulled again the curtain on Switch 2, it confirmed that a number of new Switch 2 sport playing cards received’t at all times carry an precise sport, however as a substitute comprise a key for a sport obtain. Nintendo later clarified that Switch 2 Edition video games comprise each the sport and the improve on the cartridge itself.
Switch 2 Game-Key Cards are bodily playing cards that solely comprise a key to obtain your chosen sport. That means there’s no precise sport knowledge on the cardboard you insert into your Switch 2, so that you’ll have to obtain it as soon as the cardboard is inserted. Every Game-Key Card case is appropriately labeled on the decrease portion of the entrance of the field, so for those who’re involved about what precisely you’re buying, you need to have a heads-up straight away.
Games like Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster do certainly characteristic this game-key card disclaimer. Others, corresponding to Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, don’t. The beefy Cyberpunk 2077, which weighs in at 64 GB on Nintendo Switch 2, comes on cart.
As identified by Daniel Ahmad, Director of Research & Insights at Niko Partners, this deal with Game-Key Cards might put excessive stress on the eShop across the Switch 2’s launch in June as followers rush to obtain their video games.
All the Switch 2 bundles include a obtain code.
Mario Kart World is 24GB.
Most video games come on a sport key card and require a obtain.
The Switch 2 launches globally on the identical day.
I’m not a non secular man, however I ask you all to wish for the Eshop servers on June 5.
— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) April 24, 2025
“Game playing cards are considerably dearer than discs (+ will increase with every GB),” Ahmad added, explaining the reasoning for publishers.
“It takes time to ramp up manufacturing of a number of storage capability sport playing cards. Digital video games / decrease capability playing cards supply larger margins for publishers. Digital is almost all of gross sales.”
Christopher Dring, Editor-In-Chief and Co-Founder of The Game Business, went so far as to say the Game-Key Cards are “mainly Christmas/birthday current packing containers for wrapping up.”
“Ultimately, with fewer video games retailers, rising manufacturing prices, the truth that youthful generations simply don’t care, plus the drive for sustainability, all factors in a single course for bodily media,” Dring added.
Switch 2 pre-orders kicked off yesterday, April 24, and shortly offered out. Now, Nintendo followers are posting faux Switch 2 auctions to flood eBay and drown out scalper listings.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
