Nintendo Is Seeking Player Feedback On Game-Key Cards In Japan

Game-Key Cards, it’s fair to say, haven’t been particularly well-received by the Nintendo community.

With speculation strongly suggesting that the only Switch 2 cartridge currently available for third-party developers is the comprehensive 64GB variant, the overwhelming majority of titles thus far have come on Game-Key Cards. This means you must download the complete game from the eShop once the cartridge is inserted into the console.

Numerous individuals have shared their opinions online regarding Game-Key Cards, and it seems that Nintendo is, at the very least, carrying out some of its own inquiries over in Japan. According to SwitchSoku (thanks, VGC), the company has distributed a brief survey seeking player feedback on Game-Key Cards.

It’s quite simple: the survey primarily seeks to evaluate the extent of players’ awareness regarding Game-Key Cards and their functionality, and whether such awareness influences their media selection. Essentially, it queries whether consumers prefer to purchase games on a Game-Key Card or as a download.

Below are the three survey questions along with their options:

Were you aware that Nintendo Switch 2 packaged software includes a game card known as a “Game Key Card”?

• I possess Game Key Card software.
• I don’t own Game Key Card software, but I am aware of it.
• I am unaware of Game Key Card software.

Do you know anything regarding the attributes of the Game Key Cards? Please select all that apply.

• If you have downloaded the primary game data, you can begin playing without an internet connection.
• For the first-time gameplay experience, downloading the game data via the internet is necessary.
• Free space on the device’s internal memory or microSD Express card is essential to download the main content.
• You can play the game on another console by downloading the game data and inserting the key card.
• It is mandatory to insert the key card into the console to play the game.
• I was unaware of any of this.

After reviewing the explanation above, if you wished to purchase software and both a Game Key Card and a download version were available, which option would you choose? Please select the applicable response.

• I prefer to purchase Game Key Cards as often as possible.
• I would opt for a Game Key Card.
• I cannot decide between the two.
• I would prefer the download version.
• I wish to acquire the download version as frequently as possible.

At this point, it’s difficult to ascertain whether the survey outcomes will influence Nintendo’s dependence on Game-Key Cards moving forward, but we suspect that many individuals might select the ‘I cannot decide between the two’ option on the last question.

Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, recently endeavored to clarify the firm’s rationale for introducing Game-Key Cards for the Switch 2 during the annual Shareholder meeting. He mentioned it was due to the “larger game data sizes on Nintendo Switch 2 in comparison to Nintendo Switch”, which certainly seems like a justification more suited to appease publishers and developers over the end-users.

Prominent titles that have been released as a Game-Key Card thus far include Street Fighter 6, RAIDOU Remastered, Hitman: World of Assassination, and Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD.

Theoretically, what would your response be to the third question in Nintendo’s Game-Key Card survey? Share your thoughts in the comments below.