The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 will implement a controversial system using game-key cards, which serve as proof of purchase without containing any actual game data. This innovation has drawn criticism from many in the gaming community, particularly from Stephen Kick, the CEO of Nightdive Studios.
He has openly expressed concerns about the implications of this new approach for game preservation and the future of physical media in gaming. During the initial Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo unveiled these proprietary game-key cards.
Unlike the traditional cartridges of the original Switch, these cards will not enable players to play games directly. Instead, their purpose is only to indicate that a game has been purchased; by inserting a game-key card into the Switch 2, players can download the titles associated with those cards.
This shift has prompted many to view it as a significant flaw in the Switch 2’s release strategy, raising alarms about digital ownership and content accessibility. In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Kick described Nintendo’s strategy for game-key cards as “a little disheartening.”
He highlighted concerns that once the Switch 2 eShop shuts down, games linked to these cards will become unavailable. He remarked, “You would hope that a company that big, that has such a storied history, would take preservation a little more seriously.”
Kick’s commitment to game preservation is evident given Nightdive Studios’ focus on reviving classic titles.
Despite having previously attempted to remaster GoldenEye 007, which did not come to fruition, Nightdive has successfully brought several retro games to the original Switch. While Nintendo aims to clarify its game-key card system with disclaimers on packaging, the overall shift in how the company handles physical media has resulted in discontent among collectors and gamers alike, many of whom view it as a regression from prior practices.