Nintendo Introduces New Game-Key Cards for Switch 2

Nintendo has disclosed an important detail regarding the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2: the launch of Game-Key Cards. These innovative physical cards won’t store actual game data. Rather, upon insertion into the console, they will trigger a digital download of the game.

As reported by GameSpot, these Game-Key Cards are not linked to specific user accounts. Nintendo executive Tetsuya Sasaki mentioned that the cards “will initiate on the console or system that it is inserted into, so it’s not linked to an account or anything.” This implies that users can sell or trade the cards, and the next individual will still be able to utilize them—assuming they have a Switch 2.

Nevertheless, there’s a stipulation. Nintendo’s support documentation indicates that the card must remain inserted in the console to access the game. Essentially, the card functions as a physical DRM key. While the game is downloaded onto the system, access necessitates the card’s presence—similar to how PlayStation Plus games require an active subscription for play.

This strategy provides some leeway for secondhand purchasers, as the absence of account locking enables resale opportunities. Still, it underscores a larger trend in gaming: even physical media is increasingly dependent on digital frameworks, blurring the distinctions between physical and digital ownership.

For more details on the Nintendo Switch 2, including pricing and preorder information, check out:

– How much will Nintendo Switch 2 games cost? Here’s what we’ve discovered so far.
– Nintendo Switch 2 preorders postponed in the U.S. due to tariffs.