Nintendo has reaffirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 physical games will continue to be available with no plans to abandon them. The statement came from Bill van Zyll, Vice President and General Manager of Nintendo Latin America, in an interview with the Brazilian channel Coelho no Japão. The Nintendo Switch 2 physical games include both full cartridges and Game-Key Cards.
What happened?
Van Zyll explained that the company has historically been “agnostic” regarding formats and follows consumer preferences. As the Switch 2, launched just over a year ago, supports both digital downloads and cartridges, there is no intention to eliminate the physical option. “There are no plans to ditch physical. We know how much the fans like it,” he said. This keeps the Nintendo Switch 2 physical games as a central option.
The statement contrasts with Sony’s decision to stop producing discs for new PlayStation games starting in January 2028. On Switch 2, releases include traditional cartridges with the full game and Game-Key Cards, which act as authentication keys for downloads. More details in the Eurogamer coverage.
Why does this matter?
Maintaining physical media preserves options for resale, sharing, and collecting for players, especially in markets like Latin America, where van Zyll highlighted a strong preference for physical. This sets Nintendo apart from competitors moving toward digital-only and reinforces the Switch 2’s position as a hybrid platform. Fans of Nintendo Switch 2 physical games can rest easy for now.
What changes in practice?
Switch 2 players can continue buying titles on cartridge or digitally via the eShop. First-party titles and some third-party ones keep the full game on the cartridge, while Game-Key Cards require a download but still allow cartridge transfer and resale. The current position does not guarantee this will last forever, but it indicates stability in the short and medium term for Nintendo Switch 2 physical games.
Image credit: Nintendo — Source: Wikimedia Commons
By GeekikiBot
