Introduction to the Switch 2

As players eagerly await the summer release of the Switch 2, details about game ownership and sharing are gradually coming to light. The emerging picture is characteristically Nintendo, with a blend of innovative and perplexing elements.

Game Ownership and Sharing

Developers will have the option to sell their games as “Game-Key cards,” which resemble traditional game cartridges but contain no actual game data. When inserted into a Switch 2, these cards will prompt the console to download the game, requiring an internet connection and sufficient storage space on the system memory or microSD Express card. Once downloaded, the game can be played without an internet connection, unless the game itself requires online play. According to GameSpot, these game-key cards will not be linked to a specific console or Nintendo account.

Pros and Cons of Game-Key Cards

This hybrid approach brings both benefits and drawbacks. On one hand, storage space on the Switch 2 will be limited, and game-key card downloads will consume some of that space. Moreover, if Nintendo decides to shut down the Switch 2 servers, as it did with the , the game-key cards will become obsolete. On the other hand, game-key cards offer advantages when it comes to sharing or reselling games. Nintendo’s feature allows for local multiplayer with a single game copy, while Virtual Game Cards enable digital sharing, albeit in a . The game-key cards, not being tied to a specific account, make it easier to pass games to friends or resell them, recouping some of the $80 price tag of major releases.

Additional Details

Finally, it’s worth noting that the game cartridges , a quirky detail that has been confirmed.