Switch 2 Games in Japan Favor Key Cards, Like West

Reports indicate nearly all third-party Nintendo Switch 2 physical releases in Japan utilize Game-Key Cards, with Western markets following suit.

As reported by Gematsu, Japanese Switch 2 pre-orders revealed all third-party physical titles - except CD Projekt's Cyberpunk 2077 - ship as internet-dependent Game-Key Cards requiring full game downloads.

Ys X: Proud Nordics and No Sleep for Kaname Date are also game-key cards in Japan. And retail descriptions for Split Fiction list it as code-in-a-box.

— Gematsu (@gematsu) April 24, 2025

Western markets show similar patterns, with Sega confirming their Switch 2 releases as Game-Key Cards. Walmart listings for Sonic X Shadow Generations confirm this format.

Currently, only four third-party physical Switch 2 titles avoid Game-Key Cards:

• Cyberpunk 2077
• Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion
• Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
• No Sleep For Kaname Date: From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES Aiba Edition

Nintendo previously confirmed some Switch 2 cartridges will contain download keys rather than full games, clarifying that Switch 2 Edition titles include complete game data on cartridge.

Game-Key Cards contain only redemption codes, necessitating full downloads. Packaging clearly labels these products, with examples including:

• Street Fighter 6
• Bravely Default remaster

Conversely, these titles ship complete:

• Mario Kart World
• Donkey Kong Bananza
• Cyberpunk 2077 (64GB cartridge)

Nintendo Switch 2 Game Packaging

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Niko Partners' Director Daniel Ahmad warns this approach may strain Nintendo's eShop servers at launch:

All Switch 2 bundles include download codes. Mario Kart World is 24GB. Most games require downloads. With global same-day launch, let's hope eShop servers survive June 5.

— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) April 24, 2025

Ahmad notes financial motivations behind this shift: "Game cards cost significantly more than discs, with prices rising per GB. Digital and lower-capacity cards improve publisher margins."

Game Business's Christopher Dring describes Game-Key Cards as "essentially birthday/Christmas present boxes," predicting this reflects broader industry trends toward digital distribution.