Since the big presentation of the Nintendo Switch 2, several gray areas remain to be clarified, particularly regarding physical games. Indeed, today we have the beginnings of a concrete answer, and it may not please everyone.
Nintendo Switch 2 games on cartridges yes or no?
As the Nintendo Switch 2 approaches, the first pre-orders for physical games have been launched in Japan. And a trend is already emerging: most third-party titles won't be delivered on cartridges. Instead, players will find in the box... a simple download code. Yes, you read that right.
In concrete terms, several games offered at the Switch 2 release will arrive in physical format, but without the game inside. Well, not really. Instead of the cartridge, publishers will provide a card with a code. You will therefore have to download the game via the internet to play it. This format only concerns third-party games, and Currently, Cyberpunk 2077 seems to be the only one to escape this logic. Games labeled "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" could retain a cartridge format... at least for now.
Why this choice?
As well-known analyst Daniel Ahmad explains, if publishers opt for this format for the Nintendo Switch 2, it is not to frustrate players. It is above all an economic decision, well anchored in the current realities of the industry. First of all, it is important to know that cartridges are expensive to produce, much more than the discs used on other consoles. And the larger a game is, the higher the manufacturing cost. Result: producing a complete physical version quickly becomes unprofitable, especially for third-party titles.
Another point to Consider: Cartridge production takes time, especially when managing multiple storage capacities. This complicates logistics and can slow down the release of Nintendo Switch 2 games. Conversely, offering a download code in a box is fast, simple, and much less expensive. It's an ideal compromise for publishers who want to maintain in-store visibility without blowing their budget. And above all, we mustn't forget one reality: the majority of game sales today are made digitally. The market is therefore following this trend. In short, this hybrid format allows publishers to reduce costs on Nintendo Switch 2 while maintaining shelf presence. A pragmatic choice, certainly... but not necessarily to everyone's taste.
Source: Daniel Ahmad
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