Switch 2 Game Format Leak Reveals That Nintendo's Old Habits Die Hard
A Game-Key Card for Switch 2 is just an empty cartridge that initiates a game download.
Nintendo has literally spent decades trying to build stronger relationships with important third-party game developers and publishers. But a new leak about Switch 2 game formats suggests the House of Mario could be revisiting some of the tactics that pushed away these developers in the first place.
If you're a fan of physical media and are frustrated with the high number of Switch 2 launch games that are digital downloads disguised as physical releases, new information sourced from a hack of developer Arc System Works might give clarity to what's happening.
So far, there are 8 confirmed launch titles for Switch 2. More than half of them are either 'Game-Key Cards' – empty cartridges that initiate a download of the game, or boxes that contain nothing but a download code, as is the case with Civilization VII and Split Fiction.
In reporting on the Arc System Works hack, Universo Nintendo writer @Necrolipe shared that Switch 2 game releases are allegedly limited to three formats:
The working theory, then, is that smaller-capacity cartridges won't be made available – at least not to 3rd-party game developers. If you're a developer trying to shave costs at every turn – especially with the current climate of game development – what do you do if your game is only 8GB or 24GB? You ship it only as a digital download to save money.
FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™
Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase
Pinpoint By Linkedin
Guess The Category
Queens By Linkedin
Crown Each Region
Crossclimb By Linkedin
Unlock A Trivia Ladder
It's worth mentioning that with the original Switch console, games are commonly released on 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB cartridges, giving developers the option to save some money on production based on the size of their game.
(NAND flash storage is exponentially more affordable than it used to be, but pressing a game to optical disc is dirt cheap by comparison.)
While the 64GB-only limitation doesn't directly point to malicious intent, Nintendo does have a long and well-documented history of control tactics like this. All the way back in the NES days, Nintendo was the sole producer of game cartridges for the console, which meant developers had to play ball and fork over whatever costs were associated.
Nintendo's tight control over 3rd-party game makers has relaxed considerably since the GameCube era, but it still controls the supply chain. And that means game developers still have to pay whatever Nintendo is charging for manufacturing.
While none of this is confirmed yet, it still paints a disappointing outlook for the future of physical game releases on Switch 2.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
'Mario Kart World': Release date, confirmed characters, where to buy, new features and more
Mario Kart World, the ninth edition of Nintendo's beloved racing game, comes out next week. And while fans of the games (and perhaps the movie, and the Universal theme park rides) can expect to see a lot of familiar Mario Kart elements, there's also plenty of new stuff to look forward to — and a whole new Nintendo device to secure so you can play. Here's everything you need to know before playing Mario Kart World, including where you can pre-order the game, how to get the Nintendo Switch 2, new game modes, confirmed courses and more. Pre-order Mario Kart World Pre-order the Mario Kart World and Nintendo Switch 2 bundle Mario Kart World comes out on June 5 in conjunction with the Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-orders are open now for the new game. Pre-order Mario Kart World The cost of the new Mario Kart game starts at $79. You can also bundle the game with the new device you'll need to play it. The Nintendo Switch 2 on its own costs $450, or with the game bundle, $499 — saving you $30 on Mario Kart World. Pre-order game at Walmart Pre-order game at Best Buy Check bundle stock Mario Kart World will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, so if you were wondering, "Can I play the new Mario Kart game on my original Nintendo Switch?" the answer, unfortunately, is no. You can, however, order a bundle that includes the new Mario Kart World game and the Nintendo Switch 2. Here are the game courses confirmed by Nintendo so far: Airship Fortress Boo Cinema Cheep Cheep Falls Choco Mountain Crown City Desert Hills Dino Dino Jungle DK Pass DK Spaceport Faraway Oasis Great ? Block Ruins Koopa Troopa Beach Mario Bros. Circuit Moo Moo Meadows Peach Beach Peach Stadium Rainbow Road Salty Salty Speedway Shy Guy Bazaar Sky-High Sundae Starview Park Toad's Factory Wario Shipyard Wario Stadium Whistlestop Summit The new Mario Kart game features two flagship modes: Grand Prix mode, which consists of a series of four races in pursuit of the podium and a Cup (of which there are seven), and Knockout Tour mode, where you race in elimination-style matches. There are also Time Trials, Vs. Race, Battle Mode and Free Roam, which allows you to drive around and explore the whole of Mario Kart World. There's rumor of a Reverse mode after characters were spotted racing in reverse in a Japan-only Mario Kart World ad. Perhaps an unlockable mode to replace Mirror mode? Time will tell if that rumor proves true. Mushroom Cup Flower Cup Star Cup Shell Cup Banana Cup Leaf Cup Lightning Cup The number of players you can have in Mario Kart World varies for each multiplayer mode. The game can have four players in split-screen multiplayer, and up to eight players (via local wireless multiplayer) if four players have their own Nintendo Switch 2s. Up to 24 players can get in on the action in online multiplayer or battle mode. Classic characters and newcomers will be available to race in the new Mario Kart game, including: Mario Luigi Peach Daisy Yoshi Toad Wario Waluigi Bowser Koopa Trooper Rosalina Pauline Baby Mario Baby Luigi Baby Peach Baby Daisy Lakitu Toadette Bowser Jr. Baby Rosalina Shy Guy Donkey Kong Birdo King Boo Wiggler Dry Bones New: Nabbit Cow Goomba Coin Coffer Hammer Bro Conkdor Piranha Plant Chargin' Chuck Sidestepper Cheep Cheep Snowman Monty Mole Rocky Wrench Penguin Dolphin Fish Bone Stingby Para-Biddybud Peepa Pokey Cataquack Swoop Spike Pianta
The Verge
3 hours ago
- The Verge
Sony's DualSense Edge controller is receiving a rare $30 discount
Sony might have just recently introduced a new low price on the PlayStation 5 Pro with its latest Days of Play sale, but that's not the only deal worth your attention. Sony is also offering a range of accessories at a discount, including the high-end DualSense Edge. Regularly $199.99, the customizable controller is available from Amazon, Best Buy, and Sony for an all-time low of $169 through June 11th. Sony DualSense Edge $20016% off Sony's pro-style controller, the DualSense Edge, might suffer from shorter battery life than the standard DualSense model, but it features great software integration with the PlayStation 5 and plenty of customizable components. If you're looking for a highly customizable controller, the Edge is a great option that offers excellent software integration with the PS5. The premium gamepad lets you effortlessly switch between up to four personalized profiles, each of which lets you customize things like stick sensitivity and rear button controls. It's just as easy to swap out stick modules, too, allowing you to quickly replace the stick tops should they ever wear out. What's more, the rear triggers feature adjustable stops, so you can control how far they can be pressed and fine-tune your response time in shooters and other competitive games. Additionally, the Edge offers the same haptics and adaptive triggers found on Sony's standard DualSense controller, along with two styles of rear paddles, each suited to a different grip preference. Its charging cable also features a handy locking mechanism to ensure it won't get yanked out while gaming; however, the Edge is limited to approximately eight hours of battery life when used wirelessly, meaning it doesn't last quite as long as the OG DualSense. I guess that's the price you pay for souped-up components and software, at least with Sony. More ways to save this weekend Now through tomorrow, June 1st, you can grab the last-gen Oura Ring Generation 3 at Wellbots in the Heritage configuration for $195 ($104 off) or the Horizon config for $210 ($90 off) when using coupon code OURAVERGE25. They're functionally the same smart ring even if the design is slightly different, meaning you'll be able to track your sleeping habits and other health metrics — including your heart rate, SpO2 levels, and menstrual cycle — no matter which size or model you decide to go with. Read our review. We might be alone in thinking this, but we'd argue that Govee's new Gaming Pixel Light was one of the coolest gizmos to come out of CES 2025. And right now, it's available directly from Govee for an all-time low of $95.99 ($24 off) or at Amazon starting at $101.99 ($18 off). The Alexa-compatible grid can display art, animations, and live data, letting you view pixelated details on everything from the weather to the latest NBA scores. It also has an AI component, like everything else, if you're not much of an artist yourself. Both Amazon and Anker have dropped the price of Anker's MagGo Wireless Charging Station to $63.99 ($26 off) for the next couple of days, though you'll need to punch in offer code WS7DV29E602L at the latter retailer. The adjustable 3-in-1 stand is yet another solid option if you want to top off a pair of AirPods and an Apple Watch alongside your phone, especially since the Qi2 dock can supply up to 15W of power to MagSafe-ready iPhone models.
Digital Trends
3 hours ago
- Digital Trends
Upgrade to the PS5 DualSense Edge controller while it's 15% off
There's always high demand for PlayStation deals, whether it's for the console, its accessories, or its games, so we expect this offer from Amazon for the PlayStation DualSense Edge wireless controller to sell out quickly. It's on sale with a 15% discount that slashes the PS5 controller's price to $169 from $200, for savings of $31. The lowered price is only available for a limited time, which may even be shorter than planned as stocks may disappear at any moment. If you're interested in this bargain, we highly recommend proceeding with your purchase right now. Why you should buy the PlayStation DualSense Edge wireless controller The PlayStation DualSense for the PlayStation 5 is excellent, but it's the PlayStation DualSense Edge that headlines our list of the best PS5 controllers. It's Sony's 'Pro' controller for the PS5 that's designed to provide high performance and deep customization. It offers changeable stick caps, replaceable stick modules, adjustable trigger lengths, and mappable back buttons. The controller also has a dedicated function button for switching between controller profiles, and it comes with a sturdy carrying case where you can keep all of its components organized. In our review of the PlayStation DualSense Edge, one of the negatives about the controller is its high price. However, with the discount from Amazon, it's a more tempting purchase, especially if you want to elevate the experience of playing the best PS5 games, particularly when you're engaging in the online multiplayer modes of cross-platform games. The controller also has a strong build quality, so it will withstand all the button mashing that you have to do to secure a victory. Serious gamers should definitely consider buying the PlayStation DualSense Edge wireless controller, especially now that it's available from Amazon at 15% off. Instead of its sticker price of $200, you'll only have to pay $169, and you can spend the $31 in savings towards more video games for the PS5. This limited-time deal may no longer be around tomorrow though, so if you don't want to miss this special price for the PlayStation DualSense Edge wireless controller, you should buy it today.
