{"id":1711,"date":"2025-04-25T10:51:03","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T10:51:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scubadiscounters.com\/?p=1711"},"modified":"2025-04-28T03:22:07","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T03:22:07","slug":"nintendo-switch-2-small-print-causes-confusion-over-upgrades-and-game-key-cards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.scubadiscounters.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/25\/nintendo-switch-2-small-print-causes-confusion-over-upgrades-and-game-key-cards\/","title":{"rendered":"Nintendo Switch 2 small print causes confusion over upgrades and game-key cards"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t\t\"Super\t<\/div>
Higher resolution, exclusive to Jamboree TV (Nintendo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nintendo has been muddying the water again when it comes to the Switch 2<\/a> launch line-up, as visual upgrades for Super Mario<\/a> Party Jamboree come with a strange caveat.<\/p>\n

Nintendo\u2019s messaging around the Switch 2 has been a mess ever since its big reveal earlier this month, and while the company finally offered some clarification<\/a> around game prices in the UK this week, a whole new can of worms has now opened concerning game-key cards.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re unfamiliar, game-key cards are presented as an alternative way to buy and share physical games. Unlike normal physical Switch titles, which come with the game data on the cartridge, these cards are used as a key to download the game from the Nintendo eShop. Once it is downloaded, you then play the game by inserting the card into your system.<\/p>\n

These game-key cards aren\u2019t tied to your Nintendo Account, so they can be shared or resold like normal physical games, but the lack of game data on the cartridge, coupled with the reliance on an online store, has raised some eyebrows among physical collectors.<\/p>\n

The bad news is, a big chunk of the Switch 2 launch line-up has adopted this method. As highlighted by Gematsu<\/a>, almost all physical third party Switch 2 games in Japan, except Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, use game-key cards. Only Nintendo\u2019s first party games, like Mario Kart World<\/a> and Donkey Kong Bananza<\/a>, use standard game cards.<\/p>\n

It appears to be a similar situation in the West, albeit with some differences. Pre-orders on UK retailer Smyths<\/a> show Hitman World Of Assassination \u2013 Signature Edition, Street Fighter 6<\/a>: Year 1-2 Fighters Edition, and Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster all use game-key cards.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Amazon listings in the US show the likes of Yakuza 0 Director\u2019s Cut, Sonic X Shadows Generations, and Kunitsu-Gami: Path Of The Goddess all carry the game-key card logo on the box \u2013 so it\u2019s likely this will apply in the UK too.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Switch 2 game pre-orders have been up in Japan for a few hours, revealing all physical third-party games (so far\u2014except Cyberpunk 2077) that are not “Nintendo Switch 2 Editions” to be shipping on game-key cards (requires internet to download the full game).<\/p>\n

\u2014 Gematsu (@gematsu.com)<\/a> 2025-04-23T18:57:30.823Z<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Notably, indie publisher Marvelous has released a statement (via Nintendo Life<\/a>) to clarify the physical editions of Rune Factory: Guardians Of Azuma, Story Of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, and Daemon X Machina Titanic Scion in the West will have the full game on the cartridge \u2013 unlike Japan where it is a game-key card.<\/p>\n

These key cards are presumably a cheaper way for developers to distribute physical games, and while it does offer advantages over buying digitally, old school physical collectors will be perturbed by the amount of Switch 2 games already adopting this approach.<\/p>\n

It appears these game-key cards haven\u2019t eliminated a greater evil: the dreaded \u2018code-in-a-box\u2019. According to a listing on US retailer Best Buy, physical copies of EA\u2019s Split Fiction<\/a> on Switch 2 will not include any game card at all, which means you won\u2019t be able to resell it.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n

Looks like the Split Fiction Switch 2 “physical” release is a code-in-a-box but the notice is in French : https:\/\/t.co\/A8xt1khv4s<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/dVhiGKdpe2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Nintendeal (@Nintendeal) April 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n

Overall, while many might not be bothered by these differences, as digital downloads are around 90% of all sales nowadays, the lack of consistency across physical versions isn\u2019t exactly reassuring for those who prefer boxed copies, especially as they\u2019re the most consumer-friendly option.<\/p>\n

The ever expanding grey areas concerning the Switch 2 have carried over to the upgraded versions of Nintendo\u2019s first party games too. While these include the full game on the cartridge, users on ResetEra<\/a> have spotted some small print to suggest the improvements aren\u2019t quite as comprehensive as previously thought.<\/p>\n

According to Nintendo\u2019s website<\/a>, the Switch 2 version of Super Mario Party Jamboree<\/a>, which comes with the added Jamboree TV mode, supports up to 1440p resolution when docked to the TV. However, a disclaimer at the bottom states this upgraded resolution is for \u2018Jamboree TV only\u2019.<\/p>\n

\n
\n