There is no doubt that Nintendo Switch 2 is going to be one of the most anticipated console launches in gaming history. With numerous updates from its predecessor like the all new Joy-Con 2 controllers, custom Nvidia chipset, and many more, this upcoming system is going to change the way we used to see hybrid-handheld consoles.
However, there has been a huge controversy stirred up lately regarding the physical copies of the games of Nintendo Switch 2. This aspect of this highly anticipated console is concerning the fans, keeping in mind the shift from physical gaming disks to digital only gaming world.
The Nintendo Switch 2 game-key card saga
When the highly awaited Nintendo Direct was held in April, it was all about some great treats for the fans in the form of new game reveals for Switch 2, like Mario Kart World, and many more. However, another aspect of this console was also disclosed which was quite concerning.
As far as physical copies of the games are concerned, Nintendo Switch 2 will use game-key cards. Switch 1 uses the conventional game cartridges which essentially contains the full game data. But that’s not the case with Switch 2. The game-key cards of Switch 2 don't contain the full game data at all.
These key-cards are some kind of license to download the actual game from the internet, once inserted in the console. However, once the game is downloaded, players need to keep that card inserted in Switch 2 in order to play that specific game, and this is how it works as a conventional Nintendo cartridge, serving a physical DRM Mechanism.
This is where the real controversy begins. Despite needing the card to play the game, the card doesn’t actually confirm the typical ownership of the game unlike the Switch 1 cartridges. Fans also feel pointless to buy them cause it’s almost like a digital version of the game as the entire game data needs to be downloaded from the internet, despite having a physical object. Although these key-cards are exclusively for third-party titles, but that doesn’t make the fans less disappointed.
Read More: All Switch games that won't run on Switch 2
However, there has been a huge controversy stirred up lately regarding the physical copies of the games of Nintendo Switch 2. This aspect of this highly anticipated console is concerning the fans, keeping in mind the shift from physical gaming disks to digital only gaming world.
The Nintendo Switch 2 game-key card saga
When the highly awaited Nintendo Direct was held in April, it was all about some great treats for the fans in the form of new game reveals for Switch 2, like Mario Kart World, and many more. However, another aspect of this console was also disclosed which was quite concerning.
As far as physical copies of the games are concerned, Nintendo Switch 2 will use game-key cards. Switch 1 uses the conventional game cartridges which essentially contains the full game data. But that’s not the case with Switch 2. The game-key cards of Switch 2 don't contain the full game data at all.
These key-cards are some kind of license to download the actual game from the internet, once inserted in the console. However, once the game is downloaded, players need to keep that card inserted in Switch 2 in order to play that specific game, and this is how it works as a conventional Nintendo cartridge, serving a physical DRM Mechanism.
This is where the real controversy begins. Despite needing the card to play the game, the card doesn’t actually confirm the typical ownership of the game unlike the Switch 1 cartridges. Fans also feel pointless to buy them cause it’s almost like a digital version of the game as the entire game data needs to be downloaded from the internet, despite having a physical object. Although these key-cards are exclusively for third-party titles, but that doesn’t make the fans less disappointed.
Read More: All Switch games that won't run on Switch 2
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