Topic: Switch 2 Boxed Physical Releases

@Magician
That is actually very interesting because everything else from Sega so far has been key card.

I wonder... if maybe... this could be a sign.

Probably not, but being hopeful.

"Full base game" implies that there's also paid DLC in the works, adding to what is already likely to be a AU$110 game.

But still good-ish news, I guess.

It's a shame that they screwed over all of their launch titles though. I'd have loved to have bought Yakuza and Tetris otherwise.

@SillyG
Modern gaming for ya.

Apparently this is still a 64gig cartridge, so no sign of Nintendo offering smaller sizes yet, which would preclude stuff like Tetris/Puyo getting a physical release most likely.

Hades II will be a Switch 2 Edition release which includes the Switch 1 version on cartridge.

The best collector news I've read in a while.

https://www.amazon.com/Hades-II-Nintendo-SwitchTM-2-Switch/dp...

Maybe this is a stupid idea, but is it possible that Nintendo is only offering a 64GB Switch 2 cartridge because smaller ones would not be substantively cheaper to manufacture? I mean they should still probably be subsidizing them more for third-party developers either way.

@LastFootnote
From what I understand, the flash technology being used in the Switch 2 game cards, itself cannot be manufactured in sizes smaller than 64GB.
Nintendo don't make their own flash memory, and they're using a faster flash memory that helps deliver faster loading and data streaming times. It's still slower than using internal storage or microSD express though, and apparently it's slow enough that Star Wars Outlaws couldn't use Switch 2 game cards due to the data streaming implementation needing fast enough storage.

@LastFootnote @RupeeClock
Both of those things make a lot of sense. And if you combine that with what their card manufacturer said last month (forget their name, sorry) about basically looking for other ways to mix up the cartridge sizes and speeds, I think the picture is becoming clearer.

They should make more 64 or 128 that might drive prices down to give Devs more options. Only wish the manufacture of those cards would give insights into R&D of those Switch2 carts that would go along way to dispel any myths about the capacity or why there aren't more options.

Does this mean the cartridge works on Switch 1 as well? (Without the S2 enhancements obviously)

@Dogorilla Yes, and this has been the case for all Switch 2 Editions, so far at least.

https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-fans-surprised-to-find-...

There was a lot of confusion at the time, because the wording on the boxes is rather ambiguous.

@Matt_Barber Thanks, that's good to know. I might pick up some of those then so I can start playing them on Switch then move straight over to Switch 2 when I get one.

Just bear in mind Sonic Crossworlds Racing demo is out. Its amazing on Switch. There's a $10 upgrade path for the NSW2 version releasing in December. But the physical on-cart version for NSW2 won't release until 2026.

I strongly agree! I can get behind this emerging $50 price point for full physical S2 games. I’ve already preordered Hades II and I might go for Yooka Replay-lee, too.

My other post-Direct preorders were Galaxy 1&2, Age of Imprisonment, and Prime 4. I can’t convince myself that those all weren’t overpriced, though. Not to mention the amiibo! I’m priced right out.
Especially when I have to save my money for paying his Orangeness’ GD tariffs for importing the Japanese games I want. 😤

For a little more information, any Switch 2 cartridge with a serial number beginning with LN is effectively a dual mode one that can also be inserted into a Switch 1 to play the game, obviously without enhancements.

That's as opposed to LB cartridges, which are Switch 2 exclusives, and LP ones, which are key cards requiring mandatory downloads.

The box blurb in all cases could probably be a bit clearer, but that's what you're getting.

I'm planning to buy a Switch 2 by the end of the year, and I want to make sure I'm reading this correctly. So if I buy a Switch 2 Edition first party game, like Pokemon or Metroid, it's essentially a Switch 1 game that has the bonuses on the cart? And there's also a Switch 2 digital upgrade I can get if I already own the game too, right? I'm trying to plan by purchasing and starting to nest with a few different things.

@ElRoberico : "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" games work on both consoles and also include the Switch 2 enhancements on the cartridge (where applicable). No "digital upgrade" required.

@SillyG but I can purchase one if I'd like to, right? I don't want to have to re-buy Kirby, even if I do love it.

@ElRoberico, every Switch 2 Edition also has a digital "Upgrade Pack" that costs a small amount, but will let you play the Switch 2 Edition on the Switch 2 without having to pay for the full game again. For example, the Kirby and the Forgotten Land Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack is $20, and will upgrade your original version of the game to the Switch 2 Edition as long as you play it on the Switch 2.

@ShieldHero Perfect! Thanks, my guy.

@ElRoberico
Yea, and the BotW and Tears ones are free if you have NSO Expansion Pass.

I wish they would do the same with Kirby and stuff, but doesn’t seem like that’s in the cards.