Switch 2 pre-orders reveal most physical copies don’t have the game on them

Many physical third-party Nintendo Switch 2 games won’t have any data on them, forcing players to download the full game instead. 

As revealed by Gematsu on April 23, most physical third-party games on the Switch 2 do not have the game’s data on them. Instead, players will need to insert the Game Key Card into the Switch 2 console and download the title. 

After it’s finished downloading, you’ll be able to play the game by inserting the game-key card into your system and starting it up like a standard physical game card. IGN reported that only four third-party physical Switch 2 games aren’t Game-Key Cards. 

Many physical Switch 2 games require digital downloads

Currently, Cyberpunk 2077, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, and No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES are the only third-party games that don’t require additional downloads.  

It’s important to note that Switch 2 editions of games and first-party titles like Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World do not require players to download the entire game. Instead, these games will come with the game pre-installed. The only thing you’ll need to do is download any updates. 

Of course, downloading games won’t come as a surprise to PC players and those with digital-only PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles. However, the Switch 2’s new Game Key Card system doesn’t come without its concerns. 

Switch 2 game pre-orders have been up in Japan for a few hours, revealing all physical third-party games (so far—except Cyberpunk 2077) that are not "Nintendo Switch 2 Editions" to be shipping on game-key cards (requires internet to download the full game). pic.twitter.com/vof6GWOk4J

— Gematsu (@gematsu) April 23, 2025

Daniel Ahmed, Director of Research & Insights at Niko Partners, joked about the eShop servers taking a hit on the Switch 2’s release day. “I am not a religious man, but I ask you all to pray for the Eshop servers on June 5,” he wrote on X. 

Other commenters were also concerned about Nintendo servers holding up. “With all the people downloading Mario Kart World, a day one system update, Switch 2 upgrades, eShop purchases, third party Key Card games that also require a download. The e-shop servers are going to be slammed.”

Switch 2 pre-orders are now live in the US, and you can find out everything you need to know about Nintendo’s new console via our hub, and get the lowdown on all the latest titles confirmed so far.