With Nintendo Switch 2, developers have access to a new type of cartridge that allows them to put their games on a physical cart but forces players to download a large chunk of the game online, effectively not making them physical games at all.
These cartridges are known as Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key cards. They are Nintendo’s way of getting larger games that might not fit onto a small cartridge onto the Nintendo Switch 2 system—and to have more games appear on store shelves. Theycan be identified by a label on the bottom of the boxthat specifies they area Game-Key card.
While the upside to these games outside of a code is that you can trade the game in or sell it instead of locking it to your account, and you can give the game card to friends to try out, it’s still left a sour taste in the mouth of a lot of players who expect physical media to be there physically, without requiring online downloads.
Every Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key card game
While the list above reflects the Western game market, other titles have been confirmed to be Game-Key cards in other regions that we expect to follow suit in the US and Europe, but just haven’t been confirmed yet. These games include:
There are also unconfirmed rumors thatElden Ring: Tarnished EditionandThe Duskbloodswill only be available as Game-Key card titles, with more expected to be revealed over time ahead of the console’s release and beyond.
A quick Switch 2 Game-Key card PSA
A quick reminder that to play these games, even though they are on physical cartridges, you need an Internet Connection to download them. Once downloaded, you won’t need a connection again to play them on your system unless you want to play any online multiplayer, but you need an initial internet connection to download the full game.
When downloaded, the game cartridge still needs to be in the console to play and doesn’t act like a digital release. As mentioned before, you can also trade and sell these cartridges, but once the Nintendo Switch 2 online service ends in the distant future, these cards will be pretty useless.
As these are the only way to play certain games on the system, you’re effectively not owning the complete game, and as some games might only be available as digital versions of these Game-Key cards, these games will one day be lost to time and no longer available to play at all.
