Nintendo Switch 2 Misinformation Control

⚠️ This is an ongoing blog post. The date listed above is the "last edit" date. This post started being written on April 3rd, 2025. 🚧

Hello, this is going to act as my single link for when someone brings up something that isn't true about the Nintendo Switch 2 launch. This post is going to sound soooooo fanboy-y, so to balance that out you could read my other post criticizing the Switch 2's software pricing.

Game-Key Cards

You've probably seen this screenshot floating around the interwebs, and you're probably (rightfully so if you've been misled) pissed. Thankfully, I am here to correct your worries, and tell you the gospel about the Game-Key Card.

Game-Key cards are NOT replacing the standard Nintendo Switch 2 Game Cart.

(let me repeat that again, it's quite important.)

Game-Key Cards are NOT replacing the standard Nintendo Switch 2 Game Cart.

What ARE Game-Key Cards replacing?

Game-Key Cards are replacing yester-generation's "Physical Digital Only Games".

Game-Key Cards are actually a good thing for consumers. Instead of having a one-time use download code in these releases, you get a physical key that can be used to unlock that content. This is GREAT for reselling! It's now, for the first time ever on a console, possible to resell a digital release. These are a giagantic step forward from the old release types.

GameSpot has confirmed this.

However, these releases are still... very silly. These releases will happen on Nintendo Switch 2 from third party developers cheaping out on game carts, and just going through the eShop instead. Also, when the eShop eventually goes offline, these releases are useless. But again, these aren't replacing the standard game carts, so this problem, of the eShop going offline, would've still been a problem with the old system.

According to this post by Emma (@invoxiplaygames.uk), some of last generation's game cards would only have part of the game and would require you via an online update to download the rest. Also, the Wii Shop is still hosting downloads for games and updates even since the shop was closed in 2019.

See the "Digital Only Physical Games" episode of Scott The Woz

None of Nintendo's first party titles (so far from the Launch) are going to be on these Game-Key Cards. Nintendo first party titles are on standard carts with actual game data on them.

Here's a visual:

$90 Physical Games

A classic Americanism of not understanding other currencies. This was a screenshot from Spain's My Nintendo Store, that shows Mario Kart World priced at 80 Euros for a Digital Copy, and 90 Euros for a Physical release. This has not been confirmed at all for the US as being $90 USD for a physical release.

Best Buy and Target have listings up for physical copies of Mario Kart World listed at $79.99. NOT $90.

Switch 2 Upgrades, Download Codes on Physical release.

⚠️ Conflicting reports, and unreliable (no shade, its just a single tweet) source.

So I saw this tweet and honestly, it made sense to me that it would just be a download code for the upgrade packs. Also, it was "confirmed" by a Nintendo UK Support Rep. Appearently, this isn't the full story.

According to thie email from the My Nintendo Store recieved by Nintendo Prime, the one cartridge you get with the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition physical games (what a mouthfull) is the upgraded version, not the Switch 1 cart.