Buying Physical? Watch Out For the Switch 2's Game-Key Cards

Buying Physical? Watch Out For the Switch 2's Game-Key Cards | PCMag

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(Credit: Nintendo, Capcom)

Buying a game for the Nintendo Switch 2? There are plenty of games to play, but how you access these games may differ from previous iterations of the console. The Switch 2 supports regular game cards, where the game files fit on the physical cartridge, but also game-key cards, which don't actually contain the full game data. It's confusing, I know, but here's what you need to know before buying Assassin's Creed Shadows or Resident Evil Requiem.What Is a Game-Key Card?As Nintendo explains, game-key cards are "your 'key' to downloading the full game to your system via the internet." They come in a case and include cartridges that slide into the Switch 2, like any other physical release. However, you'll be shocked to learn that you'll need an internet connection to download the game's files before playing. After that initial download, you won't need a connection to play, but the card does need to be inserted into the Switch 2. Game-key cards are also not tied to a Nintendo account, so you can use them on other Switch 2 consoles or lend and resell your games. (Nintendo also released a Virtual Game Card system that will make it easier to share digital games going forward, too.) You May Also Like

(Credit: Nintendo)

I'm sure you're wondering why this even exists, right? Switch 2 cartridges top out at 64GB, but they're expensive for the publisher to use, so game-key cards will help get games into physical stores for a lot less money, Nintendo tells The Verge. However, this also means games like Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S—which is all of 4GB on Steam—is a game-key card. Many have criticized Nintendo for devaluing physical media, leading the company to poll players about their feelings on the game-key card. But it's important to note that the Switch 1 already had a similar concept. Ever purchase a compilation title? There's one game on the cart and the others need to be downloaded. Plus, PlayStation and Xbox have had code-in-a-box releases for years.How to Tell If You're Buying a Game-Key Card Nintendo provides a helpful indicator on the box, but I needed to squint to read it. As illustrated in the image below, the case shows the game's rating in the bottom-left corner. Next to that is a key logo and the words GAME-KEY CARD. In very, very small print, it also says how many gigabytes of free space you need and a note: "Full game download via internet required." Crucially, there's a small key icon on the cartridge itself, which might not help you now but would be useful if you're looking to buy a used game without a case one day.

(Credit: Nintendo)

While I think we've moved beyond the days when confused parents couldn't tell the difference between the Wii and Wii U, Nintendo notes the Switch 2 "supports both regular game cards and game-key cards," which I think still leaves some room for consumer confusion. If a publisher opts to use the game-key card format, there won't be a separate "true" physical release (at least not yet), but I fear folks might still grab a game off the shelf in Target only to get home and realize it's a game-key card. But does it matter? The console has 256GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD Express cards, up from 32GB on the Switch 1, so there's plenty of room if game files need to be saved locally. In the end, the game will still "be there," but if physical media matters to you, I can see this being a deal-breaker. After all, if a game is on the cart, it can be theoretically played forever. If you need an internet connection to download the game, I worry what will happen when those servers go offline one day.Which Games Are Game-Key Cards?Looking at the listings on Target and GameStop, I've noticed that many publishers decided to use the game-key card format. This is allegedly because Nintendo is only offering third-party developers the 64GB cartridge or the game-key card—there is no smaller, standard physical cart. This would explain why nearly every major AAA release (and even some smaller games) is on a game-key card, since publishers don't want to pay extra for the more expensive storage space. Here's a (non-exhaustive) list of games that are on a game-key card if you're trying to buy physical: Recommended by Our Editors How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade a Nintendo Switch Game for Switch 2? It's More Complicated Than You'd Think Before You Spring for More Gear, Here’s Which Original Switch Accessories Work With the Switch 2 9 Simple Tips to Make Your Switch 2 Games Really Pop on Your 4K TV

007 First LightThe Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium TalesAssassin's Creed ShadowsBluey's Happy SnapsBorderlands 4Bravely Default Flying Fairy HDBrigandine AbyssCall of the Elder Gods - Miskatonic EditionCronos: The New DawnDestroy All Humans!Destroy All Humans! 2 ReprobedDigimon Story: Time StrangerDisgaea 7 CompleteDisgaea MayhemDragon Ball: Sparking! ZeroDragon Quest I and II HD-2D RemakeDragon Quest VII ReimaginedDynasty Warriors: OriginsEA Sports FC 26Elden RingEpic Mickey: RebrushedFarming Simulator: Signature EditionFatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly RemakeFinal Fantasy VII Remake IntergradeFinal Fantasy VII RebirthGoodnight UniverseGothic 3 ClassicHigh On Life 2Hitman: World of AssassinationHogwarts LegacyThe Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the HorizonThe Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero / Trails to AzureLittle Nightmares IIIMadden NFL 26Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. VillainsMonster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted ReflectionNBA 2K26Nicktoons and The Dice of DestinyNo Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: The Somnium FilesOctopath Traveler 0Pac-Man World 2 Re-PacPersona 3 ReloadPGA 2K25PragmataPokemon PokopiaPool Room BilliardsPuyo Puyo Tetris 2SRaidou RemasteredReanimalRemothered: Red Nun's Legacy Deluxe EditionResident Evil Generation PackResident Evil RequiemThe Rogue Prince of Persia - Immortal EditionSnoopy & The Great Mystery ClubSnowRunnerSonic X Shadow GenerationsSpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the TideSquirrel With a GunStar Wars OutlawsStarbitesStarship Troopers: Ultimate Bug WarStreet Fighter 6 Year 1-2 Fighters EditionTales of Arise: Beyond the DawnVillage In the ShadeVirtua Fighter 5 REVO World Stage 30th Anniversary EditionThe Witch's BakeryWWE 2K26Yakuza 0 Director's Cut Yakuza KiwamiYakuza Kiwami 2Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark TiesYs X: Proud NordicsEach of these games will require an internet connection to download before playing. Civilization VII, Split Fiction, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, and WWE 2K25 are actually only a code in a box. So are Bethesda's recently announced Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition, Skyrim Anniversary Edition, and Oblivion Remastered. Even Nintendo is getting in on the act by giving its Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC a boxed release. I can image there will be more (of both) in the future; the Switch 2 is still new to the market.

(Credit: PCMag / Target)

Just be careful before buying online—I've seen at least one game show no Game-Key Card on one site, but feature it on another. Others are noticing as well, since "temporary" box art for pre-orders can lack the game-key card labels. I recommend checking multiple sites and reading through the product description to be sure. If you're truly dedicated to physical releases, one workaround I've seen discussed is buying the physical Switch 1 version and upgrading it to the Switch 2 version after the fact. Nintendo seems to be banking on a lot of AAA releases heading to the Switch 2, including Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Elden Ring, both of which feature pretty hefty file sizes. That said, Cyberpunk 2077's devs managed to fit the game on a 64GB cart, so I think more true physical releases are possible. But it's also worth noting that smaller games are still vital to filling out Nintendo's catalog. To that end, 16GB and 32GB game cartridges have been rumored to exist since at least December. People have also noted, anecdotally at least, that more true physical games have been released since this time. If Nintendo has given publishers additional storage options, it might not mean that game-key cards are going away, but more options are a good thing, both for publishers and consumers.