Nintendo Switch 2 has sparked some debate due to a surprising development: many of the third-party games won’t have the full version on the cartridge but will instead rely on “game-key cards.”
When these cards are inserted, they’ll trigger a download to your portable home console. However, you’ll need to keep the game-key card in your system to play.
As Nintendo explains on its website, “Game-key cards differ from standard game cards because they don’t hold the complete game data. Instead, these cards act as your ‘key’ to downloading the full game to your console via the internet. After downloading, you start the game by inserting the card into your console.”
Nintendo and a few publishers have committed to offering full games on physical game cards. We’re compiling a list of these publishers to assist you in making informed purchases.
We aim to keep this list updated, but if you notice any errors or omissions, please let us know.
### Complete Game Card List for Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to hit stores worldwide on June 5, 2025. It will be priced at £395.99 in the UK, €469.99 in Europe, and $449.99 in the US.
