Topic: Game Key Cards... What is the point?

Key-Card isn't tied to your Nintendo account-Nintendo responded to this already. No one has did any homework to tell the rest of us the facts of why or what "Key-Card" means for smaller Devs.

Not Tied to your Nintendo account
Internet needed to download first time
License "Key-Card" is on cart not your Nintendo Account
Allows multiple Switch 2 to run the same game just using the "Key-Card"

"Code-in-Box" is tied to Nintendo Account and takes up exSD storage or internal
No Sharing/reselling
Key-Card works just like Physical Game cart must be inserted every game play

"Code-in-Box" does the same thing passes cost down to buyer. Whether or not one chooses to buy the "Key-Card" game is their choice but you do realize if that is the only options you don't get a choice at that point then you don't buy it. That's be a choice you make yourself.

@Jester676 I do not care if one is tied to your account, I care that it is tied to Nintendo's servers.

That's what eShop Digital and "Code-in-Box" are already Tied to your Nintendo account that is link to Nintendo Server. These two if you disagree with their EULA then you got no Game. The "Key-Card" is tied to the "Key-Card License on the "Key-Card" itself" with first time download from Nintendo Server and needs to be slot to play every-time just like the Physical Game cart with Full game or part game and download the rest to play.

They will use "Key-Card" factor for their lazy butts as they won't use the 64gb cards to even fit the games.

From Nintendo:
"ResponseE-mail(11/04/2025 06.02 PM)
Dear Nikolay,

Thank you very much for your reply.

An internet connection is only required when you launch the game for the first time."

Apparently the key-cart needs the additional internet verification ... just like I said before!

Wow misinformation and contradiction in one paragraph. Did you just contradict yourself there. You could post the actual email instead cropping just like another poster did online and was Debunked for it. That was a easy ask to post the email part from Nintendo Support and if need be just black out the recipients name on the email. Nintendo Prime was able to post just that part of the email without issues showing otherwise.

@Jester676 I am sorry that you feel this way.

You need to start the game with internet connection and that is that.

I do not know why this is so hard for you to understand.

Claim that this is misinformation now.

@Zuljaras Don't know why it's was that hard to just post it? You left out alot when cropping the reply this is how people get themselves into a bind just post what the reply says and if so the that is what the reply was. But you revisied it to said:
"Apparently the key-cart needs the additional internet verification ... just like I said before!"
That right there is misinformation in plain sight to see. You tried to insert something that wasn't said in the email.

@Jester676 You have hard time in understanding things.

Are you trolling on purpose?

Do you know what starting a game with internet connection means? It means that if you never started it before and you start it without internet connection it will not play.

To make it even more ridiculous I will explain it even more for you.

1. Put cart in Switch 2.
2. Connect Switch 2 to internet.
3. Download the game with the cart inserted in Switch 2.
4. Disconnect from the internet after the download has finished.
5. Try to start the game.
6. Can't start the game.

You have to start it while connected to the internet THE FIRST TIME ONLY!

I feel dumber just typing like that for some individual to understand.

@Zuljaras Dude do you read what you posted contradictions to contradictions. In your own words if you want to do that - that's your choice but when contradictions are pointed out one should take step back and ask how and why. And same with "Code-in-Box" if you don't go eShop to download it which is online "first-time as well" you can't play the game. And here we go again with name calling when user mistakes are pointed out.

@Jester676 why not answer to what I told you instead of repeating the same thing over and over.

Do it needs internet the first time you start the game yes.

They gave you the message but you went and changed what they said to what you said and that was clearly wrong.

@Jester676 Do you need to be connected to the internet the first time you start the game?

This is a simple fact. I do not try to say something that is not true.

So let's agree to disagree and stop this because I do not want to talk with people that run around in circles and avoid the facts.

I asked a simple thing and they answered.

@Zuljaras Sure we can do that but you but like I said you keep adding to what the email didn't say. That's the problem.

@Jester676 But I know the rest and we discussed it.

I wanted to know about the starup only.

I was going to be happy if they made the download the only aspect that needed internet connection as I hate being reliant on connection for installing or starting

Sure I can play offline after that but it is bugging me that I have to be online for the startup as well.

Your email from support clearly states what the setup process is.

That's just like "Code-in-box" and eShop games - they both first need the internet to download and link to your Nintendo account to verify as the long term rental of the game and then download and then play. That's what happens.

"Key-Card" requires once to download and be inserted when playing the game when you start the game afterwards and all three setups time requires internet same for "Code-in-Box" and eShop Games. The "Code-in-Box/eShopGames" are tied to your Nintendo account with the "License" for Long Term Rental and "Key-Card" the "License is on the cart" that's why the "Key-Card is always needed to be slotted just like a "Full" physical game cart without it you can't play the game.

This is going to be at least a bit helpful for families (like mine) that have multiple switches and will be able to share games without having to buy them twice but really... Other than that why???

@Zuljaras

I tried to avoid games that required an additional download as much as possible. But I couldn't resist and ended up buying two of them, Doom Slayers Collection and Mortal Kombat 11.
Take Two was the worst company in this regard, without a doubt. Borderlands 3 was cheap at my local store, but when I looked at the download requirements... over 50 GB. And you can wait, the new NBA 2K on Switch 2 will come on a key card and will require more than 100 GB to download, I'm sure of it.
I don't know how it will be on the Switch 2, honestly. What is certain is that I will give full priority to physical Nintendo games, the third-party games will have to be very carefully selected.
The stereotype that "Nintendo fans only buy Nintendo games and almost never buy third-party games" will come back with a vengeance, at least on my part.

@Rodolfo6493 Well I invested in LRG and have all doom games on functioning cartridges

I hope this continues when eventually they say that Elden Ring is on a key-cart. Still hopeful but it is looking grim for 3rd parties.

@Zuljaras LRG is not an option for me, unfortunately. Their games are overpriced here in Brazil.
The only Limited Run game I have is Castlevania Anniversary Collection.