Switch 2 Developers Reveal Shift Away from Game Key Cards Due to Nintendo’s Influence

In a surprising turn of events for fans who dislike game key cards, R-Type Dimensions 3 is set to receive a physical release on Switch 2, featuring the entire game on the cartridge. This development was initially attributed to Nintendo’s introduction of new SD card sizes for the Switch 2, although those claims were later retracted.

“We’re excited to share some great news about the Nintendo Switch 2 version of R-Type Dimensions 3,” the company announced recently. “Just two days ago, Nintendo revealed two new smaller cartridge sizes for the Switch 2, allowing us to adjust our production plans in ways we couldn’t before.”

As a result, they confirmed that a physical version of the game would be available on Switch 2, moving away from the game key card model. The only catch is that this physical version will be priced $10 higher than the digital edition to cover production costs. This is a welcome change for dedicated fans and collectors who have been advocating for this option since the console’s launch.

However, it seems that Inin Games may have jumped the gun with their announcement regarding the new cartridge sizes. They later issued a clarification stating, “There has been no official announcement or confirmation from Nintendo concerning cartridge storage capacities. Any references to specific storage sizes should not be interpreted as official information.”

They added, “At this time, we can only confirm that our upcoming release, R-Type Dimensions III, will be on a physical cartridge. No further technical details regarding cartridge specifications have been officially confirmed.”

On the bright side, this situation could open the door for other developers to explore similar options in the future. However, some may still prefer game key cards for performance benefits, as running a game from an installation can enhance loading times, or due to cost considerations. Previously, the only available cartridges for developers were 64GB, which forced larger titles like Final Fantasy VII Remake to rely on game key cards. This also meant that many smaller games faced prohibitive costs for unnecessary extra space, leading to releases like Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles being limited to game key cards. Hopefully, this new development encourages publishers like Square Enix to follow the lead set by R-Type Dimensions 3.