To say the Nintendo Switch 2 debut was controversial following their solid presentation earlier this month, feels just shy of an understatement. Specific things rubbed people the wrong way ranging from gouging consumers with the Switch 2 price point to exorbitant accessory prices. We also can't forget the variable pricing model Nintendo is pushing forward, giving people valid concerns that Nintendo of all companies may price their very own demographic out of the console itself. But, another huge blow is harming the physical media enjoyers.
Nintendo is introducing Game Key Cards, a means that largely was just an evolution of the Nintendo Switch's own Full Game Download thing, which saw developers still wanting retail space in the Switch section of stores, but couldn't quite fit everything on the limiting space that the cartridge offers. In the end, buying games brandishing Full Game Download means you'll need to download the game despite purchasing a physical copy. Meanwhile, you also still need the cartridge in the machine post-download.
Now that the Switch 2 is in full swing, with its release planned for June 5, and the console itself out for pre-order, albeit with a number that sounds like they needed more, third-party game developers are starting to push pre-orders over in Japan. One thing people noticed, though, is a lot of these games are just Game Key Cards. Games like Bravely Default, Sonic X Shadow Generations, Yakuza 0, and No Sleep for Kaname Date are all games that will require you clear up space on your storage.
New Nintendo Direct Slated For SWITCH 2 Launch Week - RUMOR
Switch 2 game pre-orders have been up in Japan for a few hours, revealing all physical third-party games (so far—except Cyberpunk 2077) that are not "Nintendo Switch 2 Editions" to be shipping on game-key cards (requires internet to download the full game). pic.twitter.com/vof6GWOk4J
— Gematsu (@gematsu) April 23, 2025
That said, not every third-party game is going to do this, for example, you have Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, which not only sounds like it will run at least decently at a stable 30 FPS, but it also crammed the game onto the 64GB cartirdge. Moreover this isn't just the base game, it also includes the Phantom Liberty DLC, so the team managed to put the entire game onto the hardware.
In case you missed it, we managed to fit Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition (base game and Phantom Liberty expansion) for Nintendo Switch 2 on a 64GB game card. https://t.co/49vb2H92VN pic.twitter.com/BtAxd8h9vJ
— Michał Nowakowski (@michalnowakow) April 25, 2025
