Switch 2 Game-Key Cards May Disappoint Physical Game Collectors
Physical game collectors may be disappointed by a growing trend with the Nintendo Switch 2. Early pre-order listings reveal that many third-party games for the new console are being sold as *Game-Key Cards* rather than traditional cartridges.
Unlike standard Game Cards, Game-Key Cards don’t include the actual game data. Instead, they contain a license code that requires users to download the game from Nintendo’s servers. This means that despite buying a physical box, the disc doesn’t actually hold the game—just a digital access key.
According to listings spotted on Japanese retailer sites and reported by Gematsu, nearly all upcoming third-party Switch 2 titles—aside from *Cyberpunk 2077*—will use Game-Key Cards. Games like *Street Fighter 6*, *Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut*, and *Bravely Default: Flying Fairy* are among those affected.
Switch 2 cartridges are capable of storing up to 64 GB of data, so the use of Game-Key Cards seems to be more of a cost-saving decision than a technical limitation. While downloading games may be fine for those with fast internet and ample storage, collectors are concerned about the long-term value of these physical releases.
This shift may be frustrating for fans who prefer true physical copies for ownership, preservation, or resale. There’s no confirmation yet on whether this trend will extend to Western markets, but collectors may want to prepare for more digital-heavy releases in the Switch 2 era.
