Nintendo is getting ready to launch the Switch 2 this summer, and they’re doing something different with how you own games. I’ve collected all the details about their new “Game-Key card” system, which mixes physical and digital features, just like Nintendo usually does.
Game-Key cards look like traditional game cartridges but contain no actual game data. When inserted into a Switch 2, they prompt download instructions for the game. Your console will need internet access and sufficient storage space on either system memory or a microSD Express card to complete the download. After downloading, you can play whenever the card is inserted, even without internet (unless the game itself requires an online connection).
According to recent information from GameSpot, these Game-Key cards won’t be linked to specific consoles or Nintendo accounts, allowing for greater flexibility in how they’re used.
Benefits and Drawbacks
This new system has both good and bad sides for players. The good part is that sharing games gets easier because the cards aren’t locked to your account. That means you can lend them to friends or even sell them later to get back some of the money you spent on those pricey $80 games. Nintendo is also adding a GameShare feature, so you can play local multiplayer using just one copy. Plus, they’ll have something called Virtual Game Cards for sharing games digitally in another way.
However, there are clear disadvantages. Downloads will consume precious storage space on the Switch 2, where storage is expected to be limited. More concerning is the lack of future-proofing, if Nintendo eventually shuts down Switch 2 servers (as they did with the Wii U and 3DS in 2024), these Game-Key cards would become essentially useless since they rely on downloads to function.
And if you’re wondering about one classic Nintendo habit, yes, the game cartridges will still have that awful taste. It’s part of how the company tries to stop young kids from putting them in their mouths.
