With the Nintendo Switch 2, the Japanese gaming giant appears to be taking a bold step in game distribution, particularly in Japan. Moving beyond traditional physical cartridges and digital downloads, Nintendo has introduced the Game-Key Cards. Unlike conventional cartridges, these new cards do not contain any game data. Instead, they serve solely as ownership verification keys. Once inserted into the console, they trigger the download of the full game from the internet.
Surprisingly, this format has quickly become the most popular choice among third-party developers for the Switch 2 launch lineup in Japan. Early pre-order data for the Switch 2 and its initial wave of games suggests that the majority of third-party titles will adopt the Game-Key Card format over traditional data-loaded cartridges, even though current cartridges can hold up to 64GB of data.
Currently, only two Japanese third-party titles have confirmed that they will launch with conventional cartridges: Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma and Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar. However, it’s important to note that both of these are technically enhanced ports of Nintendo Switch games rather than native Switch 2 titles. As such, their physical releases will come packaged with Switch cartridges, not Switch 2-specific media.
This leaves Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition as the only known third-party Switch 2 game that will launch in Japan as a fully data-loaded physical cartridge. Meanwhile, all 11 other third-party Nintendo Switch 2 titles currently available for pre-order in Japan will utilise the Game-Key Card format. These titles include:
- Bravely Default: Flying Fairy
- Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion
- Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
- Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
- Raidou Remastered
- Shine Post: Be Your Idol!
- Sonic X Shadow Generations
- Street Fighter 6
- Suikoden I & II HD Remaster
- Survival Kids
- Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut
It remains unclear whether this distribution model will remain exclusive to the Japanese market or if third-party developers and publishers plan to adopt Game-Key Cards for western regions such as North America and Europe as well. For now, the shift marks a significant shift in game distribution, and will be something for consumers to wrestle with in due time.
