Nintendo has officially clarified that the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games come with both the original game and the upgrade included on the cartridge itself. This clarification comes after some confusion sparked by customer service comments suggesting otherwise. In a statement to Vooks, Nintendo emphasized that while the majority of Switch 2 Edition games will be on a single game card, some publishers might opt to distribute these games as download codes within physical packaging, without an actual game card.
Here is the official 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.”
Priced at $79.99, the Switch 2 Edition games include titles such as 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 enhancements over their original Nintendo Switch counterparts. For instance, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom now feature additional support for the Zelda Notes service through the Nintendo Switch App, which provides in-game assistance, and also include achievements exclusive to the Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes
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Nintendo also recently announced that some new Nintendo Switch 2 game cards will not contain the game itself but instead will offer a key for a digital download. These "game-key cards" are physical cards that, once inserted into the Switch 2, will prompt a download of the game. To ensure transparency, every game-key card case will be clearly labeled at the bottom front of the box, helping consumers understand exactly what they are purchasing.
Examples of games using this game-key card system include Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster. On the other hand, games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not follow this system. Notably, Cyberpunk 2077, which requires 64 GB of storage on the Nintendo Switch 2, is available on a physical cartridge.
