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Nintendo Switch Physical Games Face Potential Shift Amidst “Game Key Cart” Concerns and Price Hikes
While gamers on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S largely abandoned physical media in favor of digital downloads, Nintendo Switch enthusiasts have largely maintained their preference for cartridges. However, this trend may be challenged with the advent of the Switch 2, influenced by rising costs for physical editions and the introduction of “Game Key Cart” technology, which delivers cartridges devoid of complete game data. The upcoming Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition for Switch 2 appears to be among the titles utilizing this new format.
“Game Key Cart” System Debuts on Switch 2
As reported by Wario64, a Play-Asia store listing for the physical iteration of the acclaimed 2022 open-world RPG, Elden Ring, explicitly mentions “Game Key Cart” in its product description. Nintendo recently clarified that this designation indicates a particular type of Switch 2 cartridge that does not contain the full game software on the physical media itself. Instead, buyers are required to connect online and download the complete game, a practice that extends to first-party titles such as Super Mario Party Jamboree for Switch 2, which includes additional content like Bowser Live mode.
Understanding Game Key Carts: Convenience vs. Ownership
Essentially, purchasers acquire a license key that circumvents digital rights management (DRM). Gameplay is restricted to when the cartridge is inserted, maintaining some aspects of physical ownership by enabling resale and sharing. This approach may be viewed as an acceptable middle ground for some, seen as preferable to exclusively digital distribution. Conversely, others may find it to be a less desirable compromise, presenting the drawbacks of both digital and physical formats: reduced convenience compared to digital downloads and diminished permanence associated with traditional physical copies.
Price Discrepancies Further Fuel Frustration
Adding to the discontent, a reported price increase of approximately $10 for physical releases of certain Nintendo titles, including Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza in European markets, has surfaced. Notably, digital versions in these regions are reportedly 15 percent less expensive, creating a significant price gap.
Elden Ring and Other Titles Adopting Download Requirements
This development represents a fresh source of concern for Nintendo devotees who value physical game collections. Elden Ring is not an isolated case, with titles like Street Fighter 6 and Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster also necessitating supplementary downloads. The latter example, a port of a 3DS JRPG, is particularly perplexing, considering its relatively small 11GB file size, which could conceivably fit on a standard capacity SD card. However, exceptions exist. For instance, Cyberpunk 2077, exceeding 60GB and inclusive of the Phantom Liberty expansion released in 2023, will be available on a Switch 2 cartridge without any download requirement. Despite a $70 price point, this remains an acceptable cost for dedicated physical collectors.
Nintendo’s Shifting Strategy: Pushing Digital Sales?
While the broader gaming industry has witnessed a significant shift towards digital sales, with an approximate 90 percent digital to physical sales ratio favoring digital, the Nintendo Switch platform has remained an exception. Nintendo’s physical to digital sales split in the U.S. was approximately 50 percent as recently as last autumn, with physical sales exhibiting even greater strength during holiday periods. Although the market for physical games is contracting, it still constitutes a substantial segment in terms of overall revenue, especially within the Nintendo ecosystem.
Switch 2 Era: A Potential Tipping Point for Physical Media
The transition to the Switch 2 era may accelerate the shift away from physical media more rapidly than anticipated. Nintendo’s strategic direction appears aimed at aggressively driving greater adoption of digital purchases, evidenced by initiatives such as their new virtual game sharing program and a $500 Switch 2 bundle that effectively discounts Mario Kart World by $40 compared to its standalone physical counterpart. While physical games demanding substantial day-one patches or requiring persistent online connections are not unprecedented, these occurrences were less common on the original Switch. With an increasing number of major blockbuster releases slated for Switch 2, the appeal of physical game collecting on Nintendo platforms may be poised for further decline.