Nintendo Switch 2 May Fix Hated Game-Key Cards

 

The Controversy: Digital Games in a Box

Since the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 in June 2025, the most vocal complaint from players and collectors has been the introduction of Game-Key Cards. These are physical cartridges sold in standard retail boxes that contain no game data; instead, they act as a physical license that prompts the console to download the entire game from the eShop.

• The Problem: Collectors argue this undermines the point of physical media, as the game cannot be played offline without a massive initial download.

• Storage Woes: With Switch 2 games reaching sizes over 100GB, these physical releases quickly eat up the console's limited internal storage or require expensive microSD Express cards.

The Potential Fix: Smaller Cheaper Cartridges

Rumors and recent developer slips suggest Nintendo is finally addressing the cost barrier that forced many publishers to use Game-Key Cards. Previously, publishers were reportedly limited to expensive 64GB cartridges, costing roughly $16 to $22 per unit, or the nearly free Game-Key format.

• New Sizes: Reports from insiders and the preservation group Does It Play indicate that 16GB and 32GB cartridge options are now being offered to developers.

• Cost Efficiency: These smaller sizes allow indie and mid-tier developers to put their entire game on a cartridge without the prohibitive 64GB tax, potentially ending the reliance on download-only physical releases.

 

The Turning Point: R-Type Dimensions III

The most concrete evidence for this shift came on December 19, 2025, when publisher Inin Games reversed its plan to release R-Type Dimensions III as a Game-Key Card.

• Back to Cartridge: Inin initially stated that switching to full cartridges would add 15 Euro to the price, but they later recalculated their production, reportedly due to these new cartridge options.

• The Trade-off: While the game will now be on a full physical cartridge, the price will increase by 10 Euro to cover the manufacturing costs. Inin has pledged to honor the lower original price for anyone who pre-ordered before the change.

 

Nintendo's First Party Stance: Pokémon Pokopia

Despite these developments, Nintendo itself is currently under fire for its upcoming spin-off, Pokémon Pokopia, scheduled for March 5, 2026.

• A First for Nintendo: Developed by Koei Tecmo, this is the first Nintendo-published title confirmed to be a Game-Key Card only release.

• Backlash: Fans view this as a broken promise, as Nintendo previously suggested its first-party titles would remain on full cartridges. This move has sparked boycott threats on social media from fans who refuse to buy empty physical boxes for $70.

Would you like me to check the confirmed file sizes for upcoming 2026 releases to see which games are likely to fit on these new 16GB or 32GB cartridges?