Stellar Blade using 32 GB Switch 2 cartridge may be good news for physical game fans

In December 2025, a rumor emerged that Nintendo would offer publishers new cartridge options. Previous reports suggested pricey 64 GB media was the only available size. The Stellar Blade Switch 2 port appears to be the first title to use the 32 GB alternative. Physical game supporters could see more companies decide against Game-Key Cards or digital versions.

On September 10th, Shift Up clarified that Stellar Blade would ship on a cartridge. A pre-order banner for the Complete Edition then revealed the Switch 2 title employed a “32GB Game Card.” The Nintendo eShop lists its file size at 25.4 GB, seemingly confirming the ad was referring to the cartridge.

Physical gaming economics

More companies may follow Shift Up's lead by requesting reduced-capacity media. If the 64 GB alternative costs $16 as rumored, it’s another reason to embrace the digital age. The late 2025 report also hinted that 16 GB versions were looming. That choice is appealing for Switch 2 games from indie studios who find exclusive eShop distribution economical.

While physical game advocates are encouraged, the industry still faces economic hurdles. Inflated storage and memory costs already contributed to a price increase on the Nintendo console. Rising NAND flash values may affect Game Cards, offsetting any savings on smaller varieties.

Another issue is the growing number of titles that exceed any cartridge capacity. Like prior entries in the remake trilogy, Final Fantasy 7 Revelation consumes more than 100 GB on the handheld. Consequently, the eShop or a Game-Key Card that requires downloads is necessary. Even if larger media were available, director Naoki Hamaguchi warned slower read speeds could impact performance.

Game Cards seem here to stay

Despite the obstacles, some critics of PlayStation’s move away from physical games view Nintendo as a savior. Instead of phasing out cartridges, its rival remains committed to giving partners additional options. Shift Up is equally supportive of non-digital gaming. When announcing a November 5th release date for the Stellar Blade Switch 2 port, it said:

We also understand the importance of physical media, and so we have made sure that Stellar Blade is 100% on cartridge.