Nintendo recently shared insights into the use of Game-Key Cards for their Switch 2 console. These cards have sparked considerable debate among gamers since the console’s release on June 5, which saw over 3.5 million units sold in just four days. The controversy stems from the fact that Game-Key Cards do not contain the actual game data; instead, they provide a key to download the game, leading to frustration among many players. During Nintendo’s annual shareholders meeting on June 27, President Shuntaro Furukawa addressed concerns raised by shareholders, one of whom referred to the Game-Key Cards as a “half-baked measure.” Furukawa clarified that the decision to implement these cards was driven by the large file sizes of games for the Switch 2.
He emphasized that Game-Key Cards were designed to offer third-party publishers an option for distributing their games in retail, highlighting that the company consulted with these publishers before introducing this method. Doug Bowser, President of Nintendo of America, added that Game-Key Cards help keep production costs low and provide developers with more flexibility. However, he acknowledged that they have not been well-received by gamers. The largest cartridge capacity for Nintendo Switch games is currently 64GB, which further complicates the physical distribution of larger titles.
On a positive note for fans, Nintendo has confirmed that there are no plans to use Game-Key Cards for its first-party titles. While it is uncertain whether this policy will extend to games developed by external companies but published by Nintendo, the company’s commitment to ensuring some physical copies actually contain the full game offers some reassurance to dedicated players.