Overview

• Game-key cards for the Switch 2 act as physical keys to download games, requiring an internet connection for the initial setup but allowing offline play once installed.
• Unlike traditional physical cartridges, game-key cards are not tied to a specific Nintendo account or console, enabling borrowing, renting, and resale.
• The format addresses the growing size of modern games, allowing developers to bypass the storage limitations of standard cartridges while maintaining retail availability.
• Pricing for major Switch 2 titles, such as Mario Kart World at $80, reflects both the increased production costs and external factors like tariffs impacting manufacturing.
• Critics and consumers have raised concerns about long-term game preservation, as game-key cards rely on Nintendo's servers, which could eventually be discontinued.