Most Switch 2 third-party games will need to be downloaded

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Third-party Nintendo Switch 2 games are teeing up to be mostly Game Key, which, for those who don't know, are physical game cards that come with a download key instead of a card with the full data of a game.

Game Key cards were announced during the Nintendo Switch 2-dedicated Direct, and now that several third-party games are available for pre-order in Japan, we are getting a glimpse at how many third-party games will utilize Game Key cards instead of a physical release.

For those who enjoy collecting the physical copies of their games, the odds aren't looking great. Titles such as Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, Wild Hearts, Yakuza 0: Director's Cut, Street Fighter 6, Sonic X Shadow Generations, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2, and Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion have all opted for Game Key releases.

If you are thinking that Game Keys will be prominent in Japan and not in the West, think again, as the title has been made available to pre-order in the UK, which has also shown a wide adoption of Game Key releases. Titles such as Hitman: World of Assassination Signature Edition, Street Fighter 6: Year 1-2 Fighters Edition, and Bravely Default: Flying Fairy are all Game Key releases.

As for the US, Yakuza 0: Director's Cut, Sonic X Shadow Generations, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2, and Raidou: Remastered - The Mystery of the Soulless Army Launch Edition have all received a Game Key release. The exception here is CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077, which will be getting the proper physical game card release, along with every first-party Nintendo titles, such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza.

• Read more: Nintendo confirms some Switch 2 game cards won't carry the game