Nintendo has officially clarified that the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games come with both the original game and the upgrade directly on the cartridge. This clarification comes after some confusion caused by conflicting reports from customer service statements that suggested otherwise.
In a statement to Vooks, Nintendo emphasized that the physical versions of Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games will include the full game and its upgrade pack on the same game card. However, they noted that some publishers might opt to release Switch 2 Edition games as download codes within physical packaging, without including an actual game card.
Here's the official statement from Nintendo:
"Physical versions of Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games will include the original Nintendo Switch game and its upgrade pack all on the same game card (i.e., they are exclusively Nintendo Switch 2 game cards, with no download code). Alternatively, some publishers may release Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games as download codes in physical packaging, with no game card."
Priced at $79.99, the Switch 2 Edition games include titles like Kirby and The Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star Crossed World, Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. These editions offer enhancements over their original Nintendo Switch counterparts. For instance, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom now support the Zelda Notes service in the Nintendo Switch App, which provides in-game help, and feature new achievements on the Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes
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Nintendo has also confirmed that some new Nintendo Switch 2 game cards will not contain the actual game but instead will include a key for a game download. These game-key cards are physical cards that serve solely as a key to download the game, requiring you to download the game data after inserting the card into your Switch 2. The packaging for these game-key cards will clearly indicate this on the lower front of the box, ensuring you know exactly what you're purchasing.
Games such as Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster utilize this game-key card approach, while others like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not. Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077, with its hefty 64 GB size on the Nintendo Switch 2, is provided on a physical game card.
