Nintendo has revealed that its first-party games for the Nintendo Switch 2 will not use game-key cards. Game-key cards are meant primarily for the company’s third-party partners.
Game-key cards make it so that the game in question will not be available on the physical card. Instead, players must download it after inserting it into the console for the first time. That said, the Switch 2 will not link game-key card games to accounts. This means that players can slot the game card to other systems and play it without conflicts.
Numerous third-party games, such as Star Wars Outlaws, Bravely Default HD Remaster, Street Fighter 6, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, and more will use the system. However, first-party games will not use need game-key cards according to a statement from Nintendo to Nintendo Life.
In an interview with IGN, Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser said the following about the game-key cards:
“In the immediate future, physical games are still a key part of our business. And we value our relationships in particular with our retailers, and want to make sure we have products available for them to sell to their consumers. When you look at Game-Key Cards, for us, our goal with Nintendo Switch 2 – similar to what we were able to accomplish on Nintendo Switch – is to have the broadest and deepest library of content we possibly can. And that includes our publishing partners. And Game-Key Cards are a way that our publishing partners are able to bring more content onto the platform, deeper and larger, more immersive content on the platform.”
Nintendo Switch 2 will launch on June 5 for $449.99. A bundle will be available for $499.99 featuring Mario Kart World.
