Lower-cost Switch 2 cartridges could be coming as a welcome Game-Key Card alternative

With estimates of costing $16 each, some publishers avoid 64GB Switch 2 cartridges. Previous reports hinted that manufacturers are developing more affordable physical media for the handheld. Now, several sources are confirming that those plans are quickly progressing. However, the new options may not persuade many studios to abandon the much-debated Game-Key Cards.

Jordan from Physical Paradise was one of the first social media accounts to share the latest rumor. Does it play? soon followed with comments on how it could impact future Switch 2 games. 16GB and 32GB capacity cartridges may be on the way to accommodate the many titles with smaller file sizes.

Will consumers benefit from new Switch 2 cartridges?

These gamers stress that the development may not be as promising as it first seems. One issue is that the Switch 2 specs can bottleneck read speeds from physical media. Final Fantasy director Naoki Hamaguchi explained that even if size wasn’t an issue, some games will encounter reduced performance.

Even with some drawbacks, the new Switch 2 cartridges may be a much-needed lower-cost option. Recently, the studio behind R-Type Dimensions III announced that the side-scroller would ship on a Game-Key Card. Despite opposition from game preservationists, the alternative would raise the price of the title by €15.

Higher storage costs make Game-Key Cards more appealing

Unfortunately, another factor to consider is the rapidly rising demand for memory and storage. With microSD Express cards, Japanese buyers have already reported shortages. This trend also threatens the 3D NAND flash memory used for Nintendo's first-party Switch 2 games. At best, the smaller cartridge capacities may only offset the financial impact.

It’s unclear which manufacturer might produce the more economical media. Earlier, it was rumored that Macronix, which had previously made cartridges for Nintendo, had discovered a breakthrough. Even so, a more recent article suggested that those efforts suffered a delay until at least 2026.

For now, gamers will continue to need an internet connection for most third-party releases. Despite its affiliation with Nintendo, even Pokémon Pokopia will embrace the Game-Key Card solution.