Nintendo has announced that the new Switch 2 game cards will not always contain the actual game itself. Instead, some will include a key for a digital download of the game. This news came via a customer support post released shortly after the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct event this morning. When the Switch 2 hits the market in June, you'll still be able to buy physical Switch games, but there are some key differences to be aware of.

The focus of the customer support post is on what Nintendo calls "game-key cards." These are physical cards that, when inserted into your Switch 2, will prompt a download of the game rather than containing the game data itself. Each game-key card will be clearly labeled on the lower front of its packaging, ensuring consumers know exactly what they're purchasing.

This move has sparked discussion among physical gaming enthusiasts who value the ease of plug-and-play gaming without the need for downloads and an internet connection. There's a concern that these game-key cards might eventually replace traditional game cartridges entirely. However, evidence suggests this won't be the case, at least not immediately.

Observers have noted that while some Switch 2 game box arts, such as Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster, feature the game-key card disclaimer, others like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not. It seems likely that the game-key card approach will be reserved for larger games that could benefit from the download method, such as titles like Hogwarts Legacy or Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Notably, CD Projekt Red has confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition will come with a full 64 GB game card on the Switch 2's launch day.

During the Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo highlighted the advanced technology of the new red game cards, which boast faster data reading speeds than the original Switch's cartridges. This suggests that not all game cards will be simple key containers. Nintendo has previously used a mix of physical and digital content with games like LA Noire and NBA 2K18 on the original Switch, showing flexibility in their approach.

As we approach the Switch 2's launch date on June 5, 2025, it remains unclear how many games will utilize game-key cards. For a comprehensive overview of everything announced in today's Direct, click here. To delve deeper into the new technology featured in Nintendo's latest hardware, click here.