Back

Nintendo Switch 2 Misinformation Control

An ongoing blog post correcting all the misinformation surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2.

Matt's profile pictureMatt · · 5 min read · 139 views

⚠️ 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

The Game-Key Card article on Nintendo's home page. With the text, "The game itself isn't included on the game-key card, so you'll have to download it before you can play."

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".

The Nintendo Switch release of Overwatch with the disclaimer, "FULL GAME DOWNLOAD: GAME CARD NOT INCLUDED!"

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:

A diagram with the header "GAME-KEY CARDS EXPLAINED (AND STANDARD PHYSICAL GAME CARDS)". On the left with a red border has "GAME-KEY CARDS (PHYSICAL CARD THAT REQUIRES A DOWNLOAD". Under that it says, "SWITCH 1 HAD FULL GAME DOWNLOADS." And besides that it says, "THESE SWITCH 1 RELEASES WERE JUST EMPTY CASES THAT INCLUDED DOWNLOAD CODES. SWITCH 2 GAME-KEY CARDS WILL ALLOW THE RESALE AND SHARING OF DOWNLOADABLE GAMES, BECAUSE THE GAME-KEY CARD ISN'T TIED TO A SYSTEM AND SIMPLY UNLOCKS THE GAME." On the right of the diagram it simply says, "STANDARD GAME CARDS (FULL GAME ON THE CARD), COMPLETELY NORMAL" Under the GAME-KEY CARDS section shows Street Fighter 6 for the Switch 2, under the SWITCH 1 HAD FULL GAME DOWNLOADS section shows The Outer Worlds for the Switch 1, under the STANDARD GAME CARDS section shows The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for the Switch 2 and Donkey Kong Bananza for the Switch 2.

$90 Physical Games

A screenshot from Spain's My Nintendo Store, showing Mario Kart World priced at 80 Euros for the Digital release, 90 Euros for the Physical release, and Donkey Kong Bananza priced at 70 Euros for the Digital release, and 90 Euros for the Physical release.

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 screenshot showing $79.99 for a Physical copy.

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.

Tweet stating, "Wait... so let me get this straight. Switch 2 Editions comes with the OG Switch cartridge and a download code for the upgrade??? They're not putting the upgraded version itself in an actual cartridge???" With a screenshot from the Metroid Prime 4: Switch 2 edition box art that says, "Includes the Nintendo Switch game and the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack. Upgrade pack also available separately."

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.

Tweet from Nintendo Prime stating, "Hey all you journalist and youtubers that ran the story without sending a FREE EMAIL to confirm about Switch 2 Edition games not having the extra content on the cartridge - you got duped. I sent a single email and got confirmed. FULL GAME ON CART, INCLUDING EXTRAS."

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.