Game pricing has raised some eyebrows among fans. Mario Kart World will cost US$79.99. This is higher than the standard US$70 price for new games on other platforms. Donkey Kong Bananza, launching July 17, will be priced at US$69.99.
called “Game-key cards” that changes how physical games work. Unlike traditional game cartridges that contain the entire game, these new cards hold only a small portion of data and an activation key. When players insert the card, Switch 2 downloads the bulk of the game data from Nintendo’s servers.
This approach helps publishers reduce manufacturing costs for the larger, more expensive Switch 2 game cartridges. For gamers, this means, besides the initial purchase, they require adequate internet bandwidth and storage space even with physical copies. This resembles how PlayStation and Xbox games work today, where physical discs often require additional downloads.
The change could impact collectors and players with limited internet access. This means that when Nintendo eventually shuts down its servers, games will become unplayable as physical media lacks self-contained permanence, a concern already looming over other digital-first platforms.
Upgrading from Switch games to Switch 2 versions will vary in cost. Some upgrades cost US$10, others US$20. A few will be free. This approach contrasts sharply with PlayStation’s standardised US$10 upgrade path, leaving many gamers frustrated by the unpredictability.
