Key Takeaways
1. Game-Key Cards allow players to download games to the Switch 2 without storing them on the card itself.
2. An internet connection is required for the initial game download, but afterward, the Game-Key Card functions like a regular Game Card.
3. Game-Key Cards are not tied to a specific console or Nintendo account, allowing for borrowing, renting, or selling.
4. They are primarily designed for games larger than the 64GB limit of standard Switch 2 Game Cards, but may also be used for smaller games.
5. Concerns about the long-term availability of games linked to Game-Key Cards exist, but past experiences with Nintendo systems suggest ongoing access to downloaded titles.
Along with a brand new Game Card, Nintendo has also revealed that the Switch 2 will feature something called Game-Key Cards. These cards resemble Game Cards but do not hold an actual game. Instead, they act as a key for downloading the complete game onto your Switch 2. Recently, Nintendo shared more details about these Game-Key Cards.
How Game-Key Cards Work
When you buy a Game-Key Card, you need to insert it into the console and then download the game. An internet connection is necessary the first time you start the game. After that, players simply need to insert the Game-Key Card into the Switch 2 to play, just as they would with a regular Game Card.
Transferable and Flexible
Even though it might seem like the Game-Key Card is linked to a specific console, that’s not true. Nintendo’s Tetsuya Sasaki mentioned that the Game-Key Card isn’t associated with any console or Nintendo account, allowing them to be borrowed, rented, or sold just like a typical Game Card.
Purpose Behind Game-Key Cards
According to Doug Bowser, the president of Nintendo America, the purpose of the Game-Key Cards is for publishers to sell physical versions of games that exceed the 64GB limit of the Nintendo Switch 2 Game Cards. However, it’s still possible that some publishers might choose to use Game-Key Cards even if their games are smaller than the 64GB maximum file size of a Switch 2 Game Card.
Future Concerns
Even with the clarification that Game-Key Cards aren’t connected to accounts like digital downloads, some people worry about the long-term future of these games if the servers were to go offline. However, since owners of the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U can still redownload their previously bought titles and updates even after the eShop has shut down for these systems, it’s reasonable to believe that those who purchase Game-Key Cards will continue to have access to download their games for many years to come.
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