Nintendo conducts Game-Key Card survey, as criticisms mount about format for Switch 2 games
Most reports confirm that Nintendo's latest console launch has been a sales success. Still, fans have expressed concerns about a new format that is common among third-party Switch 2 games.
Game-Key Cards are cartridges that only contain a minimal amount of data, forcing owners to download the rest. That has raised alarm bells among buyers, who bemoan the downfall of physical media. Perhaps aware of these opinions, Nintendo sent a survey about Game-Key Cards to Japanese gamers.
Discovered by NintendoSoup, the brief survey consists of only three questions about the controversial cartridges. In the first query, the company asks gamers whether they already own a Game-Key Card or if they have any knowledge about the format. The second question gauges awareness about the requirements for downloads and booting games. Finally, respondents must state whether they prefer Game-Key Cards or all-digital versions.
Interestingly, the third question doesn't mention Switch 2 games that use traditional Game Cards. Critics may accuse Nintendo of missing the point by forcing gamers to choose between two digital options.
Fans may wonder why Nintendo only surveyed Japanese gamers. However, the company has often taken a different approach to selling in this market. Pricing for the Japanese language version of the Switch 2 was lower than some analysts expected. Converted to approximately $343, Nintendo also reportedly offered the handhelds to retailers at reduced wholesale prices. While the manufacturer denied the rumor, it realizes the importance of physical storefronts in the country.
In 2023, the CESA Games White Paper revealed that 70% of Japanese gamers continued to purchase physical media. That was especially the case with the Switch, where digital gaming was less popular than on PlayStation consoles. Meanwhile, statistics suggest that players in North America aren't as resistant to industry trends. Nintendo may worry that the Game Key Card backlash will have a greater impact in Japan than in other regions.
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