Various reports are claiming that third-party Switch 2 games aren’t selling well, with Cyberpunk 2077 being the exception. Unlike those third-party games, Cyberpunk is a “true” physical title, so fans get the full experience once the cartridge is in. Since the other third-party titles are using game-key cards, they aren’t actually physical games, unfortunately.
The mainstream public being aware of the game card vs game-key card debate doesn’t seem likely, but it’s nice to think that Switch 2 players are voting with their wallet, opting for the true physical experience. In reality, it’s probably because a lot of the other third-party games were on the original Switch, but this is still a huge win for true physical releases.
We previously talked about how there are only five or so announced physical games for Nintendo’s shiny new console. It’s still a wild thing to see, especially since the original Switch became a bastion for physical collectors. Granted, some games needed additional downloads, but most first and third-party games were real physical cartridges.
Going from mostly physical games to five announced ones for the Switch 2 is still a remarkable shift to consider, if The Game Business' report is anything to go by. If the public is aware of the differences between game cards and game-key cards, it’s easy to see why these third-party games aren’t selling well. After all, why do small games like the Suikoden collection and Bravely Default have to be game-key cards?
Unfortunately, the only physical third-party games available are Cyberpunk 2077 and Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma. Raidou Remastered, Sonic X Shadow Generations, and Yakuza 0 are all on game-key cards, when all of them could have easily been full game cards. The fact that they’re older games sold at full price probably didn’t help things.
It’s doubtful that the Switch 2 is going the way of Nintendo’s Wii U, as backwards-compatibility with Switch games and competing with current-gen consoles will help in the long run. But having them in the launch lineup when they’re also on the original Switch is just a bad look, since most consumers will just get it for their existing console.
Still, having Cyberpunk 2077 as the second-best-selling Switch 2 game is interesting. It’s technically an old game sold at full price, but this release is on a full game cartridge. That has to track somehow, especially since most of its competition are in game-key cards. Maybe it’s the appeal of having the full 2077 experience in one cartridge, but it speaks volumes.
We’re not against digital games, as this writer is willing to have a mostly digital collection on Switch 2, but these sales show that physical is still king. Maybe other third-party devs should go with that mentality, too. It might cost a bit more, but the reward after could pay in dividends.
For more Nintendo Switch 2 content, stick with us here at Gfinityesports.com: the best website for Nintendo fans.