Overview
- Most third-party Switch 2 launch titles will use game-key cards, which require internet downloads and do not contain the actual game data.
- Game-key cards are a cost-saving measure for publishers, avoiding the high $15 manufacturing cost of traditional cartridges.
- Consumers are frustrated by the shift, with some planning to skip purchases or switch to PC due to the lack of true physical ownership.
- Concerns are growing over the long-term usability of game-key cards, as they will become unplayable if Nintendo ends online support for the Switch 2.
- While packaging clearly labels game-key cards, many buyers remain unaware of the required downloads, complicating storage and undermining the appeal of physical media.