One of the most controversial aspects of the Nintendo Switch 2 generation is undoubtedly the introduction of Game-Key Cards. While third-party developers appreciate the lower production costs, and it works as a compromise solution for games with larger file sizes to still get physical retail space without the need for a digital code-in-box, many consumers feel as though the lack of any actual game data on the cartridge impacts game preservation and takes away from genuine ownership.
In an interview with RPG Site at PAX West 2026, the president and CEO of Nippon Ichi Software, Kenzo Saruhashi, was asked about numerous topics, including the impact in sales performance when it comes to Game-Key Cards. For those unaware, the Japanese developer/publisher has heavily adopted the format for multiple titles, including Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon and Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless. According to him, those at NIS “don’t see a difference.”
RPG Site: Let’s switch gears to the Nintendo Switch 2. One of the new physical game initiatives Nintendo introduced with the Switch 2 is game key cards. There has been a response from Switch 2 players that say game key cards take away the feeling of ownership, because a game’s data is not stored in a game key card.
Do you see a noticeable impact on the sales performance of Switch 2 game software that is offered on game key cards? Do other platforms’ physical media offerings that do allow for all of a game’s data to be stored on them see increased sales in comparison to game software offered on game key cards?Kenzo Saruhashi: Currently, we don’t see a difference in the sales between them.
Well, they certainly lost multiple sales with me. If this assertion is true, I’m guessing they would have otherwise seen increases in these titles.
This is why it’s hard for me to support Switch 2 “physical” versions because they want to cheap out. If there’s a Switch 1 version and it’s a true physical then I’ll be happy to buy that instead.
Thats exactly what im doing. I bought several switch 1 game this past year FOR my switch where there is a free upgrade (sparking zero, mario oddessey, hollow knight, legends ZA [aweful game))
Stock predictions for tomorrow anyone?? I think Ntdoy is gonna break out soo. from what i see but we shall see if tomorrow is the day it does so.
Ntdoy is cheap currently dont miss the chance to own it before its unaffordable
Yea, I don’t believe that at all. I’m sure there are GKC games doing fine, but theirs specifically that usually cater to a particular audience who want collectors editions are probably seeing a decrease in sales and I doubt they want to admit it.
Exactly. I also don’t trust this statement at all considering all you have to do is go to the NISA online store and you can see key games languishing as unsold stock that barely anyone touches. But then again, they are no strangers to being cheap bastards. Maybe they are betting on forcing rpg buyers to buy the keys once playstation discs are gone as an alternate option. Anything to save a few yen at the detriment to the consumer.
I will not buy another key card. There are about 10 games, many Capcom, which I did not buy (but fully intended to buy until I learned they were GKC) based on this phenomenon.
Laughing so hard at the people here who actually think their key-card boycotts are doing anything lmaooo.
Here’s a reality check for you bozos; outside of your pathetic circlejerk echo chamber, nobody actually gives a shit about physical games.
The general public literally could not give less of a shit about what form their media comes in, hell, if anything they much prefer getting things digitally seeing as it’s infinitely more convenient and has become the norm in all other forms of media.
You all threw a hissy fit over PlayStation cancelling physical game production and GTAVI being digital only, yet GTAVI has already sold nearly 5 MILLION in pre-orders already, and a large majority of those will be PS5 sales. Cry and seethe about it all you want, it doesn’t change the facts.
Physical media is dying, if not already practically dead for the normal, everyday, non-basement dwelling whale public.
But by all means, continue your pointless resistance. Just don’t delude yourself that you’re actually making a difference.
You’re not.
Stop trying to convince yourself and others of this nonsense about “nobody needs physical media anymore!!!!!!1.” Physical media are still needed by a lot of people—did you know, for example, that music is still being released on physical media despite the popularity of streaming services like Spotify, and this year they even broke their own sales record, according to the RIAA?
https://www.riaa.com/news/riaa-reports-6-billion-in-mid-year-recorded-music-revenue-with-growth-across-every-major-category/
As for arguments like, “But GTA 6 has racked up a ton of pre-orders!!!!!!!11111111111.”
Well, to be fair, it’s worth noting that it’s racked up so many pre-orders (and, consequently, a lot of money) purely because it’s the most anticipated video game in history, and it’s still going to make a lot of money — if not from sales, then definitely from multiplayer.
Literally nothing there counters any my argument lmaooo.
“Stop trying to convince yourself and others of this nonsense!!!111!!”
As I see it, you apparently couldn’t find any arguments that could outshine my arguments, so you decided to pretend that “my arguments don’t refute anything.”
What can I say? There’s nothing to argue with you about, so goodbye.
☝️ lmaooo found the guy who’s mad that he has a crappy PC.
Imagen simping for key cards.. Nintendo cheap out enough on their hardware and sometimes even their own games..
wtf is bro yapping about lmaooo.
Nobody mentioned PCs, they literally have no bearing on this argument as they’ve been digital only for decades now. Projecting much? Not earning enough money flipping burgers at McDonalds to get a decent PC? Shame 😂
And “stating facts” is not “simping for Nintendo” lmao, the facts dont change just because you dislike them lmaooo.
But keep coping and seething by all means.
Not gonna buy any game on game key card for my switch 2
Aside from the fact that the comment style above is as diplomatic as Trump, I agree with him on several points…
Boycotts are useless, digital sales are skyrocketing whether we like it or not, and those who are crying for Sony and gamekey cards, you’re just a minority…
I can understand anger towards Sony, but here with gamekey cards: no, it’s actually a good compromise between all physical and all digital, and we’ll have to admit that someday.
Also, if you insist on only wanting physical, that means you’re missing out on the vast majority of Switch games (especially indie) that hold their own against AAA titles, or that you don’t buy on PC… (and about the latter, I highly doubt it…)
You do have some kind of functioning brain in that head of yours after all, huh?
Good for you sugar tits.
It’s hard to draw a conclusion, if you barely released anything but game-key cards. The only game I can remember that with a proper card was R-Type Dimensions III, which was a special/collector edition of an obscure game. They aren’t the ones publishing the Trails in the Sky remakes, which would be a better comparison point.
obviously lying.
they outright cancelled starbites GKC release
then they removed the stock meter from the website
then VGP came out and sait brigandine abyss’s asia import which is a real physical has sold out while NIS’s GKC collects dust
Then the next games they announced aren’t getting a wester retail version on switch 2, eshop only while PS5 and switch 1 are getting a physical.
Their actions are saying otherwise
My issue with game key cards, is not the game key card itself, it is the fact that it will not be possible to download and play the game again, if Nintendo shuts down their servers.
A physical copy is a physical copy of a game which is playable without a Nintendo server.
Guys, who is this CEO? I have never heard of them.
Boycotts work, don’t be ignorant. Montgomery bus boycotts got stuff done. Target is feeling the recent boycotts. They just have to be organized and people have to follow through. They are a great tool for the public to remind corporations who actually has the power.
Boycotts only work if you actually have enough people on your side to make a difference. And you don’t.
The insane amount of GTAVI pre-orders proved that, once and for all, the general public does not give a shit about physical media anymore. They’ve moved on.
You and your fellow basement dwelling virgins aren’t enough to change that, no matter how much you whine and cry about it online.
Have fun trying to cope with that!
People still need physical video game media
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/top-20-uk-video-game-sales-are-38-physical
https://x.com/DoesItPlay1/status/2087573576819810652#m
So your “evidence” is an irrelevant article from over two years ago (one which still shows digital dominating overall, an 85% digital) and a tweet from some random douch which also shows digital dominating overall (literally 78% digital in the US, which is by far the largest of those territories)?
Talk about grasping at straws LMAOOO.
As if you have any compelling arguments other than “GTA 6 GOT A LOT OF PRE-ORDERS,” without any links.
And I also find it amusing how you cling to the sales data of Resident Evil: Requiem in the US, while ignoring Japan and France, which have 51 and 55% of physical copy sales.
So who’s clinging to the straws LMAOOOO?
Genuinely never seen someone ‘tard out as hard as you are rn lmaooo.
The GTAVI sales alone annihilate the whole “mUh PhYsIcAl games!!111!!” boycott. It literally shows that most people couldn’t give less of a shit about physical media and will NOT boycott a game just because it’s all digital. Nothing you’ve posted has done anything at all to counter that lmaoooo.
The fact that you fail to understand this shows that you’re either huffing hard on that copium, or that you’re mentally retárded.
My moneys on a mix of both tbh.
No, bro, you’re the only one who’s mentally retarded. The GTA 6 pre-order example is just one example, and people would have bought the game anyway. So your arguments didn’t disprove anything either.
I returned 2 games I brought on key card by accident and did not buy those games at all.
Of course it takes away the genuine ownership for us.
Of course it takes it all away from us.
Uhuh,
Stupid continuing to be stupid. That is all.