This reversal — or clarification — was published by Nintendo following concerns from collectors and physical media enthusiasts.
🎮 Suggested Reading
No Game Key Cards for Retail Releases
According to a report by MyNintendoNews, Nintendo clarified that it has “no current plans” to offer Game Key Cards as a packaging option for physical Switch 2 releases.
This means physical games will continue to ship with traditional game cartridges — not just digital code slips — ensuring that players who purchase boxed copies receive true physical ownership.
How This Affects Physical Media Expectations
Earlier this week, leaked packaging for third-party titles like Street Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077 led to speculation that Game Key Cards might be used at scale. Nintendo’s new statement draws a line between first-party standards and third-party publisher freedom.
It’s still possible some publishers will opt for code-in-box formats — but it won’t be Nintendo’s norm.
Final Thoughts
Nintendo’s decision to stick with physical cartridges reassures collectors, archivists, and players who value tangible media. And while digital-first publishers may still explore download-only boxes, the default for Switch 2 will remain solid, cart-based packaging.
🔗 Related: Read our previous breakdown on how Game Key Cards were originally introduced.
