The Switch 2’s game cartridges have received a mixed reaction from fans everywhere. Nintendo's introduction of game-key cards has been seen as controversial, since they’re essentially keys that give players access to digital games. It’s something Sony and Microsoft have been doing for years, but seeing Nintendo join them in this has been pretty depressing.
What’s made it worse is how third-party publishers are opting for the game-key cards. Many of these publishers have instantly gone for game-key cards, even though they were previously physical Switch 1 games. Because of this, there are only five actual physical games on the Switch 2.
At the time of writing, the following games have been confirmed as full game cards, which are real physical games that don’t need internet:
- Mario Kart World
- Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
- Donkey Kong: Bonanza
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
- Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion
Every other announced Switch 2 game will require an internet connection to download the title to your hybrid console. It’s understandable for heavyweight games like Street Fighter 6 to be game-key cards, but seeing smaller titles like Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster as game-key cards is just inexcusable. Regardless, the lack of “true” physical games is a sad state of affairs.
The fact that Switch 1 games which had proper physical copies are game-key cards on Switch 2 is soul-crushing. Raidou Remastered and the Dragon Quest HD-2D collection are physical on Switch 1, so seeing them as game-key cards on Switch 2 makes no sense. Maybe they will have upgrades for these last-gen ports, but it’s still inexcusable.
We’re sure there will be more “real” game cards on Nintendo’s new system soon. Nintendo seems set on making their games full physical cartridges, so that’s appreciated. Cyberpunk 2077’s sales on Switch 2 might also make other publishers realize that real physical games are selling points. It’s just a far cry from what we got in the previous generation of Nintendo, which is shocking since codes in a box were introduced during that era.
Yes, we already have codes in a box on the Switch 2. Split/Fiction did that, making a lot of fans shake their head.
Nintendo needs to do better for its fans and physical collectors. Real physical games still matter, and the fact that we’re moving away from them is just wrong. Physical and digital titles can co-exist with each other.
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