Based on the pre-orders for Switch 2 games now live in Japan, the vast majority (almost all) third-party Switch 2 titles are using a "cartridge + key" format.
This means the Switch 2 cartridge you purchase does not contain the full game data. Instead, it serves as a "key" to download the digital version of the game, requiring an internet connection to download the full game to your system.
Nintendo explains: "Game key cards differ from regular game cartridges because they don’t include complete game data. Instead, game key cards serve as a 'key' to download the full game to your system via the internet. After downloading, you can insert the game key card into your system and launch the game just like a standard physical game cartridge."
Industry outlet Gematsu notes that all third-party Switch 2 physical games available for pre-order currently appear to be key cards rather than full-game cartridges.
VGC reviewed the Japanese online store Yodobashi and confirmed that among the 11 new third-party Switch 2 games listed with box art on the site, all 11 feature a logo on the front of their packaging indicating they are key cards. Each of these games has a white bar at the bottom and a black rectangle next to the rating, signaling their key card status.
Among third-party titles listed by retailers, only two Marvelous games—Rune Factory and Story of Seasons—are not key cards. However, these are not standalone Switch 2 games; they are Switch 2 versions of standard Switch titles, bundling the original Switch 1 game with a Switch 2 upgrade.
There are exceptions, though: Cyberpunk 2077 will be fully contained on a 64GB Switch 2 game cartridge.
