New Nintendo Switch case design could mislead buyers shopping for Switch 2 games

As the console launched, some fans of physical media were quick to condemn the Switch 2 cases. The retail packaging features a semi-transparent red color that obscures the interior box art. While Switch games remained unaffected, that may be changing. Buyers in Europe and Japan have spotted cases for the original handheld with the same revised design.

Nintendeal posted an image of a Red Dead Redemption Switch case on social media. The German Media Markt is stocking the item, which has transitioned to the all-red theme. However, the packaging doesn’t match Switch 2 releases exactly. The Nintendo Switch logo appears on the upper left section of the front side, rather than at the center. Also, the cover art still occupies more surface area than seen with Switch 2 games.

Another Rockstar Games title, Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy, shares the updated look. It’s not just third-party studios embracing the change. A gamer in Japan provided evidence of the new Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 Switch bundle displaying the red packaging.

It’s not clear if more games in other regions will employ the latest Switch cases. Nintendo may be unifying its packaging, similar to what Xbox and PlayStation consoles have done in the past. Regardless, there is concern that the boxes for the two consoles are too similar. The fact that the cases for both generations are identical in size adds to the problem.

One gamer noted that his local store often places Switch games in the section devoted to the newer handheld. Switch 2 games introduce their own complications, with titles shipping in several different formats. Physical releases could be standard cartridges, Game-Key Cards, or, in some markets, digital download codes in a box. Uninformed buyers may also find the concept of Switch 2 Edition games less than straightforward.