Nintendo Clarifies: Switch 2 Games Include Game and Upgrade on Cart

Nintendo has officially clarified that the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games will come with both the game and its upgrade on the cartridge. This announcement comes after some confusion arose from customer service comments suggesting otherwise. In a statement to Vooks, Nintendo emphasized that the physical versions of Switch 2 Edition games contain the original Nintendo Switch game and its upgrade pack on the same game card, ensuring that players receive a complete package without needing additional downloads.

However, Nintendo also noted that some publishers might opt to release Switch 2 Edition games as download codes within physical packaging, which would not include a game card. This approach offers flexibility but requires an internet connection for game access.

The $79.99 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 enhance the original Switch versions with features such as the Zelda Notes service in the Nintendo Switch App for games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, along with new achievements exclusive to the Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes

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Nintendo has also introduced a new type of packaging for the Switch 2, known as game-key cards. These cards do not contain the game data but instead provide a key for downloading the game. This means that upon inserting the card into the Switch 2, players will need to download the game. The packaging for these game-key cards is clearly labeled on the front of the box to avoid any confusion. Titles such as Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster utilize this method, while games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza do not. Notably, Cyberpunk 2077, which requires 64 GB of space, is available on a physical game card.