The transition from physical games to digital downloads has been slowly evolving over the years. While some still value physical copies, it looks like someone at Nintendo had the bright idea of releasing a product that has all the aesthetics of a physical copy but the functionality of a digital download.
The game-key card has been revealed for the Switch 2, and it looks like some fans are not going to be having it.
Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Card... What Is It Exactly?
As per the official overview of the Nintendo Switch 2 game-key card, these may look like regular game cards, but they don’t contain the full game data. Instead, the card only contains a ‘key’ that will allow players to download the full game on their system through the internet.
After the game is downloaded, players can then just use the key-card into the console to start to start it up like a physical game. Though the internet is needed the first time the game is launched, the game can be started like normal after the initial download.
The Death of Physical Media?
Understandably, a lot of fans were outraged at the concept. Besides the price tag hiking up to $90, there is a chance that the cards would become obsolete in a couple of years after Nintendo transitions to a new iteration of the eShop. “This is basically a death-Nel to physical collectors,” writes on fan.
With some physical collectors believing that their collections are the only way to truly keep their media even after a company closes their digital stores, the concept of the game-kay card could mean that even if they have a physical key, it’s rendered useless if the chest that it opens becomes obsolete in the next few generations.
It’s unclear for now if Nintendo is going to address this problem directly, but some fans say that the game-key concept isn’t going to be for all Switch 2 games. Hopefully somebody clarifies it soon, because at this point, some fans are saying that the game-key could be the reason they would just pass on the Switch 2.
The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5.
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