Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Cards will likely be widely used, as the cartridge formats available to developers and publishers are rather limited.
As reported by Necro Felipe on X, the recent leak from Arc System Works, which included an in-development build of Guilty Gear Strive and the reveal of a new unannounced game that will launch on the next-generation Nintendo system, confirmed that only three types of game formats are available - digital game only, 64 GB cartridge, and Game-Key Card format. As the only actual cartridge option is the 64GB one, this is likely why many of the games releasing during the system's launch window are doing so in Key Card format, and why the format will likely be widespread unless Nintendo starts offering more cartridge options.
[Nintendo Switch 2]
Graças aos vazamentos da Arc System Works, encontrados apenas três tipos de formatos são exibidos para jogos em projeto para o Switch 2:
• [DL] Jogo digital apenas
• [64GB] Cartucho com jogo completo
• [POTION] Codinome para o formato Key Card— 'Necro' Felipe #UnivNintendo (@necrolipe) May 10, 2025
While new in name, the concept behind the Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key cards is nothing new, as we have seen a lot of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S retail editions discs that don't include games, and require substantial downloads to play games, like the soon-to-be-released DOOM: The Dark Ages. What makes this format interesting, other than the fact that they can be lent to other players as if they were a regular cartridge, is the fact that, judging from the Arc System Works leak, Game-Key cards will allow downloading of games even in regions that don't officially support the eShop.
The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5th worldwide, with some exceptions like China and Central America.
About the author: Francesco De Meo has been covering video games and technology since 2012, starting his career at small outlets like Gamersyndrome and GeekSnack. After joining Wccftech gaming section in 2015, he quickly expanded his video gaming coverage with in-depth reporting, interviews with iconic industry figures such as Grasshopper Manufacture founder and No More Heroes creator Goichi "Suda51" Suda, Resident Evil series creator Shinji Mikami, Team NINJA's president and Nioh series director Fumihiko Yasuda, and Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama, reviews and on-the-ground coverage of major industry events such as Gamescom and E3. When he's not reporting or reviewing, Francesco can be found playing the genres he loves most, spending time with his six cats, reading, writing music, playing guitar and drumming for his progressive rock band.
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