Nintendo has officially clarified that the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games will indeed come with both the original game and the upgrade on the same cartridge. This confirmation comes after some confusion sparked by customer service statements suggesting otherwise. In a statement to Vooks, Nintendo made it clear that while most Switch 2 Edition games will have the game and upgrade on the cartridge, some publishers might opt to release these games as download codes enclosed in physical packaging, without any game card included.
Here’s the full statement from Nintendo:
“Physical versions of Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games will include the original Nintendo Switch game and its upgrade pack all on the same game card (i.e., they are exclusively Nintendo Switch 2 game cards, with no download code). Alternatively, some publishers may release Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games as download codes in physical packaging, with no game card.”
The $79.99 Switch 2 Edition games on offer include titles like Kirby and The Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star Crossed World, Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. These editions not only provide the original game but also enhance it with additional features. For instance, games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom now support the Zelda Notes service within the Nintendo Switch App, offering in-game assistance, and introduce achievements exclusive to the Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes
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Nintendo has also announced that not all Switch 2 game cards will contain the game itself. Some will be game-key cards, which are physical cards containing only a key for downloading the game. These cards require you to download the game after insertion into your Switch 2. The packaging for these game-key cards will be clearly labeled on the front lower portion of the box, ensuring consumers are aware of what they are purchasing.
Examples of games that use the game-key card system include Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster, while games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not. Notably, the hefty Cyberpunk 2077, with a size of 64 GB on the Nintendo Switch 2, comes fully on a cartridge.
