Julio Junior
Put your worries to rest—your next Mario, Zelda or Metroid won’t arrive on a Game‑Key Card. Nintendo UK has confirmed they have no intention of shifting their own Switch 2 releases away from traditional cartridges.
After spotting more titles labeled as Game‑Key Cards, we asked Nintendo UK whether flagship Nintendo games might adopt the new format. Their answer was simple and clear: “We currently have no plans to use game‑key cards for Nintendo‑developed titles.”
That doesn’t entirely rule out third‑party publishers using Game‑Key Cards for Nintendo’s platform. But if you’re after any of Nintendo’s core series, expect them to ship on the same sturdy cartridges we’ve known and loved.
This aligns perfectly with what NOA President Doug Bowser told IGN: physical releases remain crucial for Nintendo, and Game‑Key Cards simply give partners a way to deliver bigger, more immersive experiences on Switch 2. In other words, if it’s a Nintendo first‑party adventure, you’ll still be holding a cartridge in your hand.
Recent reports suggest that Nintendo is also exploring advancements in cartridge technology to enhance storage capacity and loading speeds, ensuring that future titles can support more complex graphics and gameplay without compromising performance.
Industry insiders speculate that the Switch 2 may feature backward compatibility with existing Switch cartridges, allowing players to enjoy their current library on the new system seamlessly.
Meanwhile, third-party developers are reportedly experimenting with Game-Key Cards to offer exclusive content and features that take advantage of the new format’s capabilities, potentially leading to unique gaming experiences on the Switch 2 platform.
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Unreal 5
It’s great to hear that Nintendo is sticking with their traditional cartridges for first-party games. There’s something special about holding a physical cartridge, and it’s reassuring for fans who enjoy collecting them.