Nintendo Switch 2 Game Key Cards Developed Based on Partner Feedback

The Nintendo Switch 2 has really gotten folks talking – both gamers and investors – all because of how Nintendo is handling physical games, especially with something called Game Key Cards. Now, these cards don’t actually have the game on them. Instead, they just give you a code to download the digital version. That’s stirred up some trouble with collectors, since you can’t really play the game from the card without an internet connection. Even big companies like Capcom count these Game Key Card sales as if they’re selling digital games. At a recent meeting with investors, Nintendo’s bosses got grilled about why so many of their partners are using these cards for physical game releases. One investor even called it a “poorly cooked measure” that’s hurting sales. Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, explained that they came up with Game Key Cards because Nintendo Switch 2 games are huge, way bigger than the old Switch games. He brought this up again at Nintendo’s big shareholder meeting on June 27, 2025. Earlier that month, Naoko Kino from Kyos Co., a consulting firm, had mentioned that game publishers really like these Game Key Cards because they help them save money as game production costs keep going up

So, Game Key Cards let publishers sell physical boxes in stores, but the “cartridge” inside just kicks off a digital download. This is different from regular download codes, which can be shared or even resold to someone else. Furukawa did make it clear that publishers knew about this Game Key Card idea while the Switch 2 was being made. But he didn’t say anything about whether sales of physical games from partner companies are being slowed down because of it.

As if the debate over Game Key Cards wasn’t enough, Nintendo of Canada has dropped another bombshell with plans to hike prices for its consoles and games starting August (read more here: https://playersforlife.com/2025/06/30/switch-consoles-and-games-to-get-more-expensive-in-canada/). Carlos Mendoza delves into the details of this price increase, which will affect everything from the Nintendo Switch models to Amiibo figures and online services, while intriguingly leaving the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 untouched. With these changes just around the corner, it’s a good time for Canadian gamers to stay informed! For all you Elden Ring enthusiasts out there, Sophie Laurent has some exciting news to share! In her latest post dated July 1st, 2025, she delves into the highly anticipated arrival of Elden Ring on the Nintendo Switch 2. FromSoftware is reportedly gearing up for a 2025 release, complete with the expansion, Elden Ring: Nightfall. While an exact date remains under wraps, hints from the ESRB classification suggest that fans might not have to wait much longer. Sophie speculates that Bandai Namco’s upcoming summer showcase could be the stage where this eagerly awaited announcement is made. Be sure to head over to Elden Ring May Soon Arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 to get all the details! If you’re a fan of immersive open-world action-adventure games, make sure to check out Carlos Mendoza’s latest post on “Playable Demo of Crimson Desert to be Showcased at Gamescom 2025,” published on June 30, 2025. The article details Pearl Abyss’s upcoming demonstration of the highly anticipated game at Cologne’s Koelnmesse Exhibition Center from August 20th to 24th. Attendees will have a chance to experience Crimson Desert firsthand and receive exclusive items while exploring the world of Pywel with Kliff, the leader of the Greymanes. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to get a sneak peek into the game’s rich narrative and expansive gameplay Playable Demo of Crimson Desert to be Showcased at Gamescom 2025.