Since its inception, the Switch 2 has been based on a unique 64 GB cartridge format. On paper, it seems generous. In fact, this volume is often oversized for many titles. Result: to limit their costs, several studios prefer to use “key game cards” (“Game Key Card”). These small cartridges look like physical games but actually contain only a license to download the title online.
A technical limit that annoyed players and studios
For part of the public, this practice has a bitter taste. Players who Buy a box expect to own the game on physical support, not a simple digital ticket. The controversy did not wait for the release of the Switch 2 to swell, many Switch 1 games are distributed in a physical way … in the form of a simple download code. Another problem: key cards require keeping the cartridge inserted to launch an already downloaded game, which is obviously very frustrating, and pushes many players to turn directly to dematerialized.
The clarification could come from Macronix, the historic Nintendo partner for the manufacture of cartridges. The Taiwanese company suggested that it was preparing storage media ” various capacities “, Based on his own NAND memories as well as on NAND 3D components. An announcement that recalls the situation of the first switch, whose cartridges already existed in several sizes.
If this promise materializes, studios could soon choose the capacity of cartridge most suited to their game, rather than finding themselves trapped with an oversized format. Fans, they hope that it will encourage publishers to return to complete physical versions, with the game directly stored in the cartridge.
Nintendo seems to be growing seriously. The company is currently conducting investigations to players, both in Japan and in the West, to measure the extent of the rejection of key cards. In a context where the conservation and sustainability of video games are becoming more and more important for communities, the gradual abandonment of key cards for “real” cartridges could restore the image of the Switch 2 to players who adep the physique.
In the meantime, we will have to continue to live in this hybrid situation between the physical and digital. But if the new Macronix cartridges arrive quickly, they could reassure both developers and players.
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