Talking Point: Will You Be Buying Any Game-Key Card Switch 2 Games?

The decline of physical media has been anticipated for years now, largely since the internet made digital downloads an appealing alternative for acquiring games — or your licenses to play them. Nintendo became involved fairly promptly (at least by Nintendo standards) with WiiWare and the Virtual Console, yet there has always remained a strong connection between this particular platform holder and tangible products.

It’s not solely about providing stocking stuffers for parents and grandparents shopping for a younger audience; Nintendo’s bias toward cartridges could also play a role. Cartridges have a more robust, tangible presence compared to discs — and even when the company opted for optical media, the GameCube’s charming 8cm discs and the rounded edges of Wii U titles added some character. Carts, with their distinctive shapes and chip-filled components, seem to hold more than just being a blank vessel with data stored. Is it just me?

On the other hand, purchasing a physical Xbox or PlayStation game has always meant acquiring a disc. Sony and Microsoft gamers have long been accustomed to massive downloads augmenting whatever is included in the package. The rapid solid-state memory on PS5, for instance, necessitates that all software be transferred to the hard drive anyway.

Console games haven’t been genuinely operating off discs for a generation, yet those discs remain essential to unlock the respective licenses. Thus, Game-Key Cards essentially signify Nintendo catching up with rivals and encountering familiar challenges, although the format — game cards against discs — and the Switch’s portability somehow makes this instance feel more ludicrous. At least discs may provide a minimal amount of game data before initiating the extensive Day One patch download.

As previously mentioned, for Nintendo — more than perhaps any other platform holder — it’s crucial to ensure physical products are available on store shelves during the holiday season, which necessitates sustaining a strong partnership with retailers. The frustration and discontent surrounding Switch 2 retail pre-orders is understandable, although it’s difficult to determine how Nintendo could better the situation while also maintaining those retailer relationships. There’s little motivation for Best Buy, Target, and others to improve their outdated websites when demand for the product keeps customers fixed on their devices for extended periods. But that is yet another discussion.

For those committed to physical editions, transitioning to digital feels like giving up. It’s a frustrating dilemma for many.

Similarly, third-party publishers desire to have their items on store shelves so that family members can snag a game for Tommy’s birthday. The individual purchasing may not realize or worry that the cartridge in the box is merely a license verification. It remains uncertain what storage options Nintendo is providing for Switch 2 cartridges — although the maximum appears to be reportedly 64GB. Assuming their game can fit within that capacity, producing those cartridges will be significantly more expensive than the 8GB counterparts. Even without the existing economic challenges, it’s evident why Switch 2 publishers are eager to embrace the game-key card concept at launch.

Every announced physical release from Sega, Capcom, Konami, and most other third-party publishers on the platform is utilizing a key-card. As of now, Nintendo itself, CD Projekt, and Marvelous are distributing cartridges that contain the actual game data, and the latter two have explicitly stated that, indeed, all data will be on their cartridges.

The online backlash regarding this strategy is completely rational given the precarious situation for those devoted to physical editions. And when companies like Limited Run offer a $250 Collector’s Edition of Raidou — which absurdly includes a game-key card (sold separately for $50, mind you), as well as a soundtrack CD, various cardboard pieces, and assorted trinkets, for $250!!! — it’s no surprise that individuals are advocating for boycotts of any game-key card releases.

For many, the realities and advantages of digital acquisitions — coupled with the increase in eShop discounts as the Switch generation moved forward — have encouraged a shift to digital this generation. Those microSD cards filled up rapidly, yet having immediate access to your full library is a significant asset with a portable. The capability to resell these game-key cards is beneficial, but the downsides are considerable — as are the expenses once you incorporate additional memory into your gaming budget.

With 256GB of storage on Switch 2 — even less when accounting for necessary firmware — Hitman alone will consume 61GB according to the box. Incoming games like Call of Duty on Switch 2 likely won’t be smaller than that; in fact, they may be 100GB+ giants. If the thought of endlessly archiving and redownloading games isn’t appealing, you’ll quickly find yourself necessitating extra storage.

But what’s the alternative to these ‘pseudo’ game cartridges? For those dedicated to physical products, shifting to digital equates to capitulation. It’s an exhausting dilemma for many, not even touching upon the millions of gamers with poor internet connectivity or the obstacles this creates for preservation.

This trend has been the course that the industry — and all forms of media — have been following for years. The only alternative seems to be abandoning modern gaming altogether. Are players genuinely invested enough in this physical battle to take such a step?

You’ll find numerous individuals online who express this sentiment (or proudly declare to be sailing the Jolly Roger), but whether they’ll have the determination to revert to BOTW when the upcoming Zelda is revealed, or settle for FromSoft’s older titles when the next significant Souls installment is announced, remains to be seen.

For many, the game-key card situation poses a dilemma without a viable resolution, just a wealth of frustration and unease. Even developers find it “disheartening.”

What are your thoughts regarding these game-key cards? Are they preferable to a complete digital download? Better than a code-in-a-box if you’re just aiming to fill your shelves alongside your genuine physical games? Do you view them as a concern? Share your opinions in the poll and comments below.