It has come to light that the majority of physical third-party games for the Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan are being released as Game-Key Cards. This trend appears to be mirrored in Western markets as well. According to Gematsu, pre-orders for the Switch 2 in Japan unveiled that all third-party games, with the exception of CD Projekt’s Cyberpunk 2077 and games labeled as Nintendo Switch 2 Editions, utilize Game-Key Cards. These cards necessitate an internet connection to download the full game.
Ys X: Proud Nordics and No Sleep for Kaname Date are also game-key cards in Japan. And retail descriptions for Split Fiction list it as a code-in-a-box. pic.twitter.com/dCTUsTmNQZ
— Gematsu (@gematsu) April 24, 2025
In the West, Sega's Switch 2 games are also distributed as Game-Key Cards. For instance, the Walmart listing for Sonic X Shadow Generations confirms this. Our research has identified only four third-party physical Switch 2 games that are not Game-Key Cards: 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 introduced the Switch 2, they confirmed that some new Switch 2 game cards would not contain the actual game, but rather a key for a game download. Nintendo later clarified that Switch 2 Edition games would include both the game and any upgrades on the cartridge itself.
Switch 2 Game-Key Cards are physical cards that only contain a key to download the chosen game. This means there's no actual game data on the card itself, requiring a download once the card is inserted into the console. Each Game-Key Card case is clearly labeled on the lower part of the front of the box, providing consumers with a clear indication of what they are purchasing.
Games such as Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster include this game-key card disclaimer, while others like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not. Notably, Cyberpunk 2077, with its substantial 64 GB size on the Nintendo Switch 2, is available on a physical cartridge.
Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes
Daniel Ahmad, Director of Research & Insights at Niko Partners, has pointed out that this focus on Game-Key Cards may significantly strain the eShop servers around the Switch 2's launch in June, as fans rush to download their games.
All the Switch 2 bundles come with a download code.
— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) April 24, 2025
Mario Kart World is 24GB.
Most games come on a game key card and require a download.
The Switch 2 launches globally on the same day.
I am not a religious man, but I ask you all to pray for the Eshop servers on June 5.
Ahmad also noted that "Game cards are significantly more expensive than discs (+ increases with each GB)," explaining the rationale behind publishers' preference for digital distribution. He added, "It takes time to ramp up production of multiple storage capacity game cards. Digital games / lower capacity cards offer higher margins for publishers. Digital is the majority of sales."
Christopher Dring, Editor-In-Chief and Co-Founder of The Game Business, described Game-Key Cards as "basically Christmas/birthday present boxes for wrapping up." He further stated, "Ultimately, with fewer games retailers, rising manufacturing costs, the fact that younger generations just don’t care, plus the drive for sustainability, all points in one direction for physical media."
Pre-orders for the Switch 2 began on April 24 and sold out rapidly. In response, Nintendo fans have taken to posting fake Switch 2 auctions on eBay to overshadow scalper listings.
