https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/05/nintendo-has-no-plans-to-use-game-key-cards-for-first-party-developed-titles

"Physical games are still a key part of our business," the NOA president told IGN in a recent interview, while Game-Key Cards are "a way that our publishing partners are able to bring more content onto the platform, deeper and larger, more immersive content on the platform".

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See guys, it's so easy.

Even if it sounds harsh, Nintendo also used to say they wouldn't do DLC and they wouldn't charge for the online. And they ended up doing both.

You know what they say: nunca digas de este agua no beberé – never say never. While a fully digital future for Nintendo feels inevitable, it's still reassuring to hear they aren't planning to ditch physical releases just yet, especially with the next generation of consoles on the horizon, which is typically when big shifts like this occur.

It's honestly no surprise that Nintendo is sticking with cartridges for the time being. Funnily enough, this thread has been rather quiet, just a few thumbs-up here and there. But you can just imagine the massive outcry if Nintendo decided to go the digital route like so many other publishers.

Glad to hear it as someone who prefers physical media.

I feel like whenever a Switch 2 game I want has a proper game card, like first party releases or Cyberpunk, I'll pick it up that way, whereas third party games that only offer a game key card or digital I will simply download from the eshop.

It's better than a purely digital system at least.

They said they also wouldn't do mobile games ... Until they had too and we all know where that lead so it doesn't really mean much but for all its worth I prefer them coming to the forefront and telling what's what than making physical enthusiast worry for the foreseeable future 

So just all large 3rd party games will be on Game-Key Cards and no physical, got it.

For now.

Kinda tired of spending money on a first party machine, though. I am old enough to remember the NES. I know what they could do as a company. I know they don't have to go this route. And gaming is getting way too expensive for multi-console ownership. At least for me.

Seems this next generation I'll likely keep buying Nintendo 1st party games, less 3rd party.

But I think the writing is on the wall and the Switch 2 may even end up being the last console I buy going forwards if all successive hardware from the big 3 are digital only, I love physical.

Tricky wording, plans can change.