It has been revealed that there will be three types of Nintendo Switch 2 cartridges, so if you are a physical game collector, you will want to check which ones you have received. The first are Game Cards that only work on the Nintendo Switch 2 such as the Game Card for launch title Mario Kart World. The second is Game Key Cards which contain no game data and have a download key which you willl need to redeem to download the game. The final is cross platform Game Cards which work on both the Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Nintendo Switch systems. As you can see from the image below the example for this is Rune Factory Guardians of Azuma which works on both platforms.
- LB- cards only work on Switch 2
- LP- are Game Key Cards
- LN- cards work on both Switch 1 and Switch 2
All that matters is the games.
I buy only LB cardridges 😌
Agreed. If you want a download copy, you can just go to the eshop. The key card feels pointless.
Not really, you can still resell them, the only thing is that you need extra storage.
Who buy downloaded game? That smell like burned cd rom 😅
You aren’t buying a download with the key cards. You’re buying the key to the download.
The key card is your proof of ownership of the game. Yes, it contains no data and requires you to download the game, but the key card itself has the same benefits physical games do… in that you can resell the game, trade it in, let a friend borrow it, or gift it to someone else. You can’t do that with eShop games because they’re tied to your account.
All this information has been available online for a while… It’s like people pride themselves in being ignoramuses…
The whole point of the key card games cartridges is if you complete the game or no longer wish to play it you can resell the cartridge you can’t do that with a digital download only title are you purchase from the e shop because all purchases are linked to your Nintendo account so not exactly pointless
Why not LN?
I’m waiting a while for the dust to settle
I’m waiting for the dust to settle, just incase of glitches. Before considering buying switch 2. Waiting for reviews.
You don’t need to redeem anything with the Game Key Cards. You just insert, download and play. No redeeming.
So they are going to release switch 1 games with the switch 2 label????? That’s a bit confusing…
I believe on the box it say, it’s compatible with Switch and Switch 2, but Switch 2 Edition features and enhancements are bit available on Switch.
Did no one watch the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct back in April? Or ever looked at Nintendo’s website? Why are people acting like, they’ve unearthed some unbelievable new information? 🤨
I think most probably skipped over that info as well, sometimes during the directs this type of information can come and go real quickly and people may not realize at the time
Good to know!
I think it’s time Nintendo unveails 128GB gamecard size for Switch 2 developers.
Ok, but they still have refused to reveal why they stopped offering multiple size game cards like on the Switch 1, which is why so many indie games got physical releases on it.
Interesting evolution in physical media—Nintendo’s new card types remind us of how packaging must also evolve with product functionality. At My Box Printing, we specialize in creating custom packaging solutions that adapt to new formats, whether you’re releasing an exclusive product (like LB cards), a digital code-based item (like LP cards), or a hybrid (like LN cards). Tailored, protective, and branded packaging is essential for every stage of innovation.