@Magician I would as well. But hearing something like Oblivion or got the wrong title comes as "Key-Card" just isn't funny when CyberPunk 2077 is on a 64gb cart full game unless there is update or DLC.
Game-key cards are different from regular game cards, because they don’t contain the full game data. Instead, the game-key card is your 'key' to downloading the full game to your console via the internet.
After it’s downloaded, you can play the game by inserting the game-key card into your console and starting it up as normal.
How it works
Step 1: Insert the game-key card into the console.
Step 2: Download the game.
The game itself isn't included on the game-key card, so you’ll have to download it before you can play.
When you insert the game-key card, further instructions will be displayed on the HOME Menu. Please follow the instructions and download the game.
Please note: to download the game, you must have enough free space in your Nintendo Switch 2 system memory or microSD Express card. The amount of free space required is indicated on the game-key card packaging.
Step 3: Play the game.
Once the game is downloaded, you’re ready to play!
An internet connection is only required when you launch the game for the first time. After this, the game can be started even without an internet connection. However, like regular physical software, the game-key card must be inserted into the console in order to play the game.
If you insert a game-key card into another Nintendo Switch 2, the game can also be played on that console by following the above steps.
@Jester676 Still you need to be connected to the server when you start the game for the first time. Which is ok since you used the internet to download it anyway!
However, I am sure that if you reset your Switch or move your SD card to another Switch you need to do that server handshake again.
I am EVEN willing to give it a pass if it was ONY for the download of the ROM that is connected specifically to that plastic DRM key-cart. But still, that is not the case.
The same is done to the PS5 detachable disk drive. You have the drive BUT still you need the server handshake to use it ... why? Cause reasons ...
I repeat ... if I insert the key-cart, download the game (ROM) and it is connected to that key-cart grom the get go it would've been a game changer. But it is NOT!
The only reason we got this is for maximizing revenue for the publishers, since they have to pay Nintendo extra to use the bugger size cartridges.
I am willing to pay the extra cost myself, that is why I purchase Limited Run Games releases.
I HOPE that they do not go out of business anytime soon! In fact, I hope because of those "practices" they have even more business!
I am willing to pay for the Buggest Size cartridge myself for Elden Ring Tarnished Edition!
I am EVEN willing to give it a pass if it was ONY for the download of the ROM that is connected specifically to that plastic DRM key-cart. But still, that is not the case.
Here we go again with the misinformation....Please look at what Nintendo says about in post #68 and where what you mentioned compares?
@Zuljaras This is why people are so huge up on "Key-Card" no one has asked Devs whom uses "Key-Card" the why but keep posting on here the not. As for Elden Ring that is a cheapskate in the lowest order and they know it. As for LRG and SRRG they can't get everything as well if the IP owner don't give them the License to do it. "Key-Card' does act like DRM you need it every-time to play the game. Digital it's stuck on your Switch Account that a worse from of DRM. If someone else in your family or friends want to try or buy it from you what's the "harm"?
@Jester676 "As for Elden Ring that is a cheapskate in the lowest order and they know it."
Sorry but I did not understand this. I mean it is still not confirmed as key-cart but you think that they are cheap (Bandai Namco) or that it is so successful that they will do a bigger cartridge release?
I am EVEN willing to give it a pass if it was ONY for the download of the ROM that is connected specifically to that plastic DRM key-cart. But still, that is not the case.
Here we go again with the misinformation....
If someone else in your family or friends want to try or buy it from you what's the "harm"?
1. What misinformation? Nintendo put it on their website. You need to be connected to the internet the first time you load the game AFTER downloading it. No way around it. If it was only the download it would've been better.
2. It does not harm sharing. But it is not a proper physical edition as there is NOTHING on the cart, thus it is just a DRM plastic key that gives you the access to download it yourself (and then asks you to verify the download by starting the game while the console is connected to the internet).
1. What misinformation? Nintendo put it on their website. You need to be connected to the internet the first time you load the game AFTER downloading it. No way around it. If it was only the download it would've been better.
You do this for Digital eShop games first time as well. The download License is tied to the "Key-Card" as opposed to the eShop games is tied to the Nintendo account.
2. It does not harm sharing. But it is not a proper physical edition as there is NOTHING on the cart, thus it is just a DRM plastic key that gives you the access to download it yourself (and then asks you to verify the download by starting the game while the console is connected to the internet).
That is all intended purpose is a Physical game. Take you physical game cart out and you can't play the game. They "Key-Card" is the license just like you need to have the Physical game cart inserted to play the game. And your misconstruing what the "Key-Card" is as mentioned on the Nintendo Site. That is what is called Misinformation.
And again #3 of Nintendo stating what a "Key-Card" does. Step 3: Play the game.
>>>>Once the game is downloaded, you’re ready to play!<<<
An internet connection is only required when you launch the game for the first time. >>After this, the game can be started even without an internet connection<<. However, like regular physical software, the game-key card must be inserted into the console in order to play the game.
The "Key-Card" replaces the "Code-in-Box" freeing the buyer from having it tied to their Nintendo account.
@Jester676 Ok, let's get something straight. Key-cart is NOT a physical copy of a game. It only serves as a key to download your game. BUT EVEN THEN, you can't play your game because you have to VERIFY your download from a Nintendo server!
And you have to do that EVERY time you reset your Switch 2 or move the SD card to another Switch 2 console.
And the last part is correct Key-Cart = Code-In-Box with the ability to give it to other people.
And this is not my point because I know this already. I do not get digital games on consoles, only on PC.
My first argument is that publishers do this to save money and NOTHING ELSE!
The only saving grace is that now you can sell the DRM key and got some of your money back. Hurrayyy!
And the last part is correct Key-Cart = Code-In-Box with the ability to give it to other people.
They aren't equal did nothing what I pointed out on the Nintendo site what the "Key-Card" was. This is the misinformation your saying again. Code-in-box is tied to the Nintendo Account - "Key-Card" is tied to physical cart that holds the license to download the game "First time" and after that requires the "Key-card" slotted to play the game.
My first argument is that publishers do this to save money and NOTHING ELSE!
This makes no sense....anymore. In your own words you contradicted yourself saying you don't want to support Digital games but tell the rest not to buy digital game but you would support PC digital games?
@skywake If it is a unique license, why does it need online connection to start the game for the first time?
Maybe it pairs the key-cart to the downloaded game at this time because otherwise it would not need this extra step.
A proper physical edition does not need server handshakes, authentications etc. It is just plug and play no matter the console or the first time you started to be connected to the internet.
So, in short, key-carts only imitate physical releases. They only allow you to give the license to other people, but they still have to do the checks I mentioned above.
@Jester676 Yes it holds, the license to download the game. But it is still useless if you do not perform the online connection start up right?
Where have I said that key-carts are linked to your account?
And you seem confused that I said it is cheaper. Do you know that key-cart is LESS expensive to make than a 64GB physical cart? How does that NOT kame sense to you?
And it does NOT matter if it is better than a code-inbox. EVERYTHIG is better than code-in-box. The most important thig is that it is NOT better than a normal physical release!
Code in a box should've never been a thing in the first place.
@Jester676 Yes it holds, the license to download the game. But it is still useless if you do not perform the online connection start up right?
Where have I said that key-carts are linked to your account?
And you seem confused that I said it is cheaper. Do you know that key-cart is LESS expensive to make than a 64GB physical cart? How does that NOT kame sense to you?
And it does NOT matter if it is better than a code-inbox. EVERYTHIG is better than code-in-box. The most important thig is that it is NOT better than a normal physical release!
Code in a box should've never been a thing in the first place.
All what you wrote is answered on Nintendo FAQ Key-Card #2.
Step 2: Download the game.
The game itself isn't included on the game-key card, so you’ll have to download it before you can play.
When you insert the game-key card, further instructions will be displayed on the HOME Menu. Please follow the instructions and download the game.
@Jester676 I honestly do not know what you are trying to prove anymore.
1. You get the cart.
2. You insert the cart.
3. You download the game.
4. You start the game WITH internet connection otherwise it WILL NOT WORK.
5. Now you can turn off the internet and play the game as you like.
Is that so difficult to understand?
And there are people who are so happy of this change because now they can sell their key-cart copies. Yet it is used to incentivize publishers to use this method to save money!
@Polvasti I collect games that I know I will play. I am not a senseless collector that just want to own. For me physical games are special because I grew up with them. I know I am in the minority or as you call it a niche but still, I want at least the games I really LOVE to get the "special" treatment of having a playable version of the game on the freaking cart.
So, collecting and gaming is one for me. I casually bring up my NES, SNES etc. and play on them. Nostalgia is hell of a drug
Also wanting a proper physical edition is not hurting the ability for other to enjoy the game.
I really don't disagree with any of this, and I have had some collecting experience myself (just not with video games), so I understand the sentiment and I've no intention to disparage collectors. I'm sorry if my comment sounded like I was doing that.
All I wanted to do was to question your statement that "normal physical release > every other way of releasing a game", because for many (non-collector) consumers digital releases are a better option, for the reasons I explained. And these key-cart games actually offer an improvement over regular digital games, since they can be borrowed to friends and resold. So, to answer the question in the thread title, key-carts do have a point for a lot of people, just not for physical game collectors.
@Polvasti that is fair. Different people draw the line differently.
But still I do not get it.
Most digital gamers say that it is more convenient because they do not want to change carts. Well, with this release their game is digital AND they have to change carts.
So they trade the convenience positive for the ability to lend/trade their games? I do not get it. Digital should be cheaper and stay digital and physical should be more expensive and have a playable version of the game on the cartridge.
@skywake If it is a unique license, why does it need online connection to start the game for the first time?
To download the game, because it's not on the card. Which as I said earlier in this thread you're doing anyways when games have day 1 mandatory patches or campaigns as secondary downloads. Again, unless you have a particular obsession with the idea of the game being on the cartridge itself or go physical to save on storage usage? There's no real difference between this and any other physical copy
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Topic: Game Key Cards... What is the point?
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