"Nintendo Clarifies: Switch 2 Games Include Game and Upgrade on Cart"

Nintendo has officially clarified that games labeled as Nintendo Switch 2 Edition will contain both the original game and its upgrade on the same cartridge. This statement from Nintendo to Vooks dispels earlier confusion caused by conflicting reports from customer service comments, which suggested that the games might not include the game itself on the cartridge.

However, Nintendo also noted that some publishers may choose to release Switch 2 Edition games as download codes within physical packaging, without including a game card. This approach allows publishers flexibility in how they distribute their games, catering to different market preferences and logistical considerations.

For $79.99, consumers can purchase several Switch 2 Edition games, including 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 offer enhanced features over their original Nintendo Switch counterparts. For instance, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom now support the Zelda Notes service through the Nintendo Switch App, which provides in-game assistance, and include achievements exclusive to the Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes

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Nintendo has also introduced a new type of product for the Switch 2: game-key cards. These are physical cards that do not contain the actual game data but instead provide a key to download the game. This means that upon inserting the card into the Switch 2, users will need to download the game. The packaging for these game-key cards will clearly indicate this on the lower front of the box, ensuring that consumers are aware of what they are purchasing.

Examples of games using 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 use this system. Notably, the large-scale game Cyberpunk 2077, with its 64 GB size on the Nintendo Switch 2, is available on a traditional game card.