Nintendo has confirmed that these sophisticated new Switch 2 game cards don’t always carry the real game.
Super Mario Bros. Company details how to update its approach to physical gaming cartridges Customer Support Posts It was released shortly after this morning’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct. This explains that once the Switch 2 arrives in June this year, you can buy physical Switch games like you’ve done for the past eight years, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
The post in question focuses on Game Key Cards: Physical cards that contain only the keys to download the selected game. In other words, the card inserted into Switch 2 does not have the actual game data, so once the card is inserted, you will need to download it. All game key card cases are properly labeled at the bottom of the front of the box, so if you’re worried about exactly what you’re buying, you’ll need a heads up right away.
The news that Nintendo will use these game key cards for the Switch 2 already grabs physical gaming fans who prefer the simplicity of plug-in play without the need for a long download period and internet connection for setup. The concern is that these are just flashy keychains that will quickly replace all standard cartridges, but there is little reason to believe this is the case.
Many have already taken it to social media and pointed it out, but are looking early on Switch 2 box art with covers of such games Street Fighter 6 and Bravely remaster defaultsactually feature other things like that game key card disclaimer, and more Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananzaplease do not.
The game key card approach appears likely to be reserved for some particularly large-cost games that could benefit from key strategies, such as the Hogwarts Legacy and the remake of Final Fantasy 7. Still, it’s on the developer CD Projekt Red Already confirmed CyberPunk 2077: Ultimate Edition will be shipped with game cards It fits at a whopping 64 GB on the day Switch 2 starts up.
Plus, as explained in Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo seems pretty proud. New Tech upgraded red game cards are supported. They are said to come with faster data reading speeds than those seen in the original 2017 hybrid console. This is the fact that you don’t need to point out whether all cartridges are simple important containers or not. Don’t forget that Nintendo has bending the definition of what game cards previously offer. Some notable original switches are the La Noire and the NBA 2K18.
It’s too early to know how many two Switch 2 games rely on game key cards, but we know that everything will become clear as launch approaches. For now, the Nintendo Switch 2 is being prepared to click on Action on June 5th, 2025. Click here for everything revealed between all the inclusive direct today. To see a better look at all the new Tech that Nintendo’s new hardware brings to the table, you can click here.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor to Passthecontroller. He is best known for his work on sites such as Pitch, Fugitive, and Only sp. Be sure to provide him with followers on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@mikecripe).
