Are Switch 2 Owners Buying Third Party Game-Key Card Releases?
Game-Key Cards are a new physical game format introduced with the Nintendo Switch 2. Unlike traditional game cards that store the full game directly, Game-Key Cards contain only a digital license. This is an attractive option for publishers for a number of reasons. For example, they may want to make their game available in retail stores without paying for the expensive 64GB game cards, the game may take up more storage than 64GB, or the game might require faster storage options (internal or microSD Express).
Many video game collectors have taken to social media and railed against GKC, vowing to never purchase one. Some have even gone so far as to say they aren't buying a Switch 2 because of the prevalence of GKC. But are these beliefs widely held? Or are they more likely to be a vocal minority?
According to our data, most users seem willing to purchase Game-Key Cards. Of the 1,070 Deku Deals users who have added one or more third party physical releases to their collection, 735 of them own one or more Game-Key Card titles.
Six of the ten most-collected third party Switch 2 physical releases on Deku Deals are Game-Key Cards:
- Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
- BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster
- Hades II
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
- Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition
- Yakuza 0 Director's Cut
- FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE
- Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Fighters Edition
- Persona 3 Reload
- STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar
Most physical releases on Switch 2 are Game-Key Card, but with rumors abound that Nintendo plans to make more game card sizes available, we'll have to wait and see whether or not Game-Key Cards will continue to dominate third party physical releases.