Following the announcement of Octopath Traveler 0 throughout yesterday’s Nintendo Associate Direct, some followers are seeing their pleasure turning into irritation upon listening to the information that the Nintendo Switch 2 bodily version of the sport is simply a Game-Key Card, and never an precise bodily recreation copy.
This data comes from the various listings of the sport throughout gross sales platforms together with Amazon, Finest Purchase, and Square Enix’s own website. All Nintendo Switch 2 editions of the sport present the “Game-Key Card” indicator on the underside of the field artwork, quite than a full field indicating a bodily version. Even the sport’s $230 Collector’s Version is a Game-Key Card on Nintendo Switch 2, however a bodily version for all different variations.
The Nintendo Switch 1 bodily version of the sport is, nonetheless, an precise bodily card. However there’s a draw back to this, too. As stated by Square Enix on social platforms, the Nintendo Switch 1 version can’t be upgraded to the Nintendo Switch 2 version — there is not any path, paid or in any other case. Because of this if somebody needs a bodily version of the sport for his or her Nintendo Switch 2, they both need to get an inferior Switch 1 version and simply cope with it, or be caught with a Game-Key Card.
And when you’re asking, “Who cares?” the reply is… fairly a few people! Game-Key Playing cards are bodily playing cards, however they do not truly comprise the sport on the cardboard itself. As a substitute, the cardboard has a code that initiates a obtain of the sport in query, which means it is nonetheless a digital recreation.
That is irritating to these with affordable qualms about digital possession rights, in addition to these for whom the entire attraction of getting a bodily recreation copy isn’t having to spend time downloading it within the first place. It is also irritating that the Switch 1 version is not even upgradeable — what if somebody needs to purchase the sport at launch, however then buy a Nintendo Switch 2 at a later date? What a mess.
Game-Key Playing cards have confirmed an irritation for Nintendo followers since they had been introduced. Even some builders aren’t thrilled concerning the notion, particularly given its dicey implications for recreation preservation.
Nonetheless, Nintendo claims they’re helpful particularly for video games with bigger file sizes that is likely to be troublesome to suit on a cartridge, however that additionally comes with the double-edged sword of a greater, longer obtain (Octopath Traveler 0 seems to be 5GB). And as Niko Companions director of analysis & insights Daniel Ahmad places it, they can assist maintain recreation prices down. Playing cards are dearer than discs to provide, and key playing cards can assist scale back prices whereas nonetheless offering one thing that appears like a bodily version for individuals who need it.
A reminder that key playing cards are going to be the vast majority of releases initially if you construct a console that depends on microSD Specific tech
Both you utilize a 64GB cart and value your recreation >$60 simply to make a related kind of margin you’d on PS5
Or use a key card + value decrease https://t.co/5eZvUoNxoL
— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) July 31, 2025
Nonetheless, all this has put an unlucky damper for some on yesterday’s in any other case thrilling information. It is also made Sq. Enix followers particularly cautious, as Bravely Default 1 HD Remaster was additionally a Game-Key Card solely. Is Sq. Enix dedicated to this technique for all its Nintendo Switch 2 video games going ahead? Maybe together with newly-announced The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales? We’ll have to attend and see.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Yow will discover her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Acquired a story tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.