The Switch 2 is the first Nintendo console that I haven’t gotten, and have no intention of getting, since the SNES, solely because of game key cards. The whole point of a physical game is to be able to play right out of the box without having to download anything, and the whole point of digital games is to not have to switch out physical games in order to play. Game key cards do neither of these, so it’s really the worst of both worlds.
The whole point of a physical game is to be able to play right out of the box without having to download anything
This is already often not the case anymore thanks to patches.
It is definitely worse than physical game. But compared to digital games, key cards have the advantage of being able to trade or sell. There are many games that I will not replay after completion (most JRPGs). With game key cards I can sell them when finished.
Given the choice between key card and digital game, I might choose key card depending on the genre of the game. We need to patch most physical games anyway, so I don’t really see the big deal.
Exactly this. I am sorely disappointed in Nintendo right now and will not be buying a Switch 2, or probably anything else from them. The only Nintendo products I might buy for the foreseeable future would be secondhand retro stuff that they can’t profit from.
I won’t be buying any. I prefer physical whenever possible, but the way I see it, if I’m going to buy physical, it better be a real one. I’d sooner just buy digital than buy a Game Key Card.
But at the same time, I recognize that the death of physical media is an inevitability one way or another. If you view physical media as a preservationist thing, that’s becoming increasingly less so. In an era of patches, the 1.0 version on a cartridge might not be the version you care about preserving. Obviously this depends on the game, but more and more games these days are aiming for long-term development, to keep going and become more and more different from what was originally on the cart. So in a sense, we’re kind of halfway there anyway, aren’t we?
If I may add my own question, when physical media dies - and I do think that this a when, not if - where will you guys go? I know the PCMR circlejerk is strong here, but it’s interesting to note that physical has been dead on PC for a long long time already.
I don’t like them and won’t buy any. I’m a proponent of physical media and don’t really do digital on console.
In some sense, I do slightly prefer a GKC to a digital copy, just because of transferability. But in practical terms, I think GKCs are replacing real physical copies more often than they’re helping games that’d otherwise be digital only.
So as a physical person, not a fan. I imagine most digital enjoyers don’t want the clutter. I do think there’s an audience for them though - the segment that just wants their games at the best price or deal possible. The used market for these will probably be pretty nice.
I agree. Theoretically, GKC can replace “code in the box”, and allow users to be able to send their “physical” game.
Practically though, they are replacing proper physical games, which is a negative.
And I agree, those who like digital aren’t going to buy GKC if they don’t buy physical games.
I buy the most games physical, so on switch or ps5 currently. Yes there are some digital games i own, either indies or games not that easily available. But i prefer a physical version for sure. So far only 3rd party games are on game key kards and all (or almost all) of them are available on ps5. Easy choice for me if i want to play those game i buy the ps5 version. So what would i do if nintendo releases a game on a game key card? I would be unhappy and have to decide between full digital and card digital. The only advantage of the game key card would be i’m able to sell it and i rarely do that, so i would choose most likely the digital version. I can’t see i would buy those right now, i don’t like them because i prefer physical games. And i think it’s a stupid choice of nintendo, they should have solved the problem with the expensive or to small cards otherwise.
it’s one of several reasons I am no longer a Nintendo customer.
I hate the trend of them replacing physical games. I buy physical and own a few digital releases. Some indie and small games I buy digital, but just a few.
It’s so narrow minded to assume anyone has high speed internet access all the time and can download and redownload games whenever. I know the Switch 2 is a luxury item given its price-point, but still…
Say someone buys a game at the airport before boarding a long flight. Oh, it’s actually a Game Key Card! Good luck with that. I haven’t read about regions, if you need a Nintendo Account from a GKC’s region to play it, but that would be an extra pain.
They’ve shown with the Wii U and the DS they will shut down the servers when they feel like it’s not profitable anymore. So paying for renting the game for as long as the servers are up and all that. Even with long term support, nothing guarantees Nintendo will still exist a few years from now.
Preservation is so important. I have a Famicom plugged in to my TV which is decades old. I can still play it and enjoy its games. As well as so many other consoles where you just plug in, insert cartridge/disk and play.
I do avoid getting games if they’re on Game Key Cards. For example Street Fighter 6, I would have bought on day one had it been on a physical cartridge. But I’m not getting it.
There are enough games I can play that I won’t struggle not to play a game that’s GKC only.
My opinion is that anyone still giving money to nintendo is part of the problem.
In an ideal world, we should all be playing FOSS games. I just want to relax and have fun and try not to focus too much on the politics of game publishers.
