Switch 2 "Code-In-A-Box" Physical Game Listing Spotted Online

Looks like I'll be saving a lot of money this generation! Unless LRG and VGP are successful in getting reprints out of publishers...then I will lose a lot of money this generation.

I'm just confused then... I thought the point of the key cards was so there wouldn't be any code in box releases.

Leave it to the Four Presidents to say "Don't worry, consumers. Things will still continue to get worse."

The sad thing about these is that once you use the code you can’t give it to someone else.

EDIT: I accidentally wrote “card” and not “code”

They couldn't compress 10% more to make it fit on a 64gb card? I mean, you could have just made a hi-Res texture download pack and fit the rest on a cart.

Just like Xenoblade X did on WiiU

Boooo! I just cannot support this in the slightest!

Likely a mistake, we've seen loads of those with the upcoming games, give it a week and see if it isn't changed or removed altogether.

Physical game cheap-o-meter, from best to worst:

All on the cart 🤩
On the cart, but day one patch 🙂
Base game on cart, but have to download multiplayer/DLC 😑
Significant portion of base game/collected titles must be downloaded ☹️
Game key cartridge crud 😣
Code in the box BS 😩
Cloud version 🤮

@PerfectFrost Nah. It’s for the people that want to resell their games. Code in a box are for gifts for people that love digital—so you have a physical box to hold.

@Teksette Where is Arkham trilogy on that ranking? One full game in cart, the rest downloaded. You still get a full game…

@Yoshi3 It's not that they couldn't. It's that they wouldn't.

textures voice acting switch 1were not use to these higher quality third party games that came over to ps and xbox and because of that and limited capacity on carts most will be either a digital or key card releasethe price you pay for progress.

And this is the reason why I have less impression with Switch 1 games currently (code in box, partial download, streaming only)
Switch 2 case just even worse and unacceptable (code in box again, game key card).
And the reason I become more interested with PS5 than Switch in term of 3rd party games.

Does anyone else remember when you could pay for a thing and actually GET a thing?!

If they want to sell us only digital games, I'll just buy them with "exposure".

I'll be the first to defend the decision from publishers, especially smaller publishers, to forgo physical releases. But this is just nonsense. We've been selling download codes as "gift cards" for over a decade now, there is absolutely no reason to switch to codes in boxes other then to trick people into buying your produce thinking it's something it isn't.

Hopefully retailers will push back at this or not carry them after they have to deal with all the pissed off people asking for a refund.

Well it just goes to show that going digital is probably the way the future. I expect very little physical on cart games. Basically only counting Nintendo as the physical games I'll be collecting

@pikachupikachup
Don't forget, only the first two games even run on switch.
The 3rd game is unplayable!

At this point why even make games anymore, why not just make a rental service. This is just garbage and ruins the preservation of gaming for an entire generation. Also note to all gaming company, doesn't matter if your games are digital or not, your games will get dump at some point and they will be preserve online at some point, going all digital won't stopped them from getting data mine and data dump. Just release the actual game on an actual cartridge and make your customers happy. Charging full price for a rental copy ain't gonna make anyone happy.

As much as we complain about game key cards, and I do agree in parts, at least we can agree that they're better than this

These companies really hate physical media and want it gone.

@TheMainMii These companies are forcing an all digital future on us whether we like it or not. They don't want us owning the games, excuse me, licenses we purchase from them.😐😑🙄

@MrCarlos46 Game Key Cards are actually lendable! Unless you accidentally typed “card” instead of “code”.

Definitely using the Switch 2 as a better way to play Switch 1 games at this point and not buying a lot of Switch 2 stuff. I prefer indie games on my Steam Deck anyways (doesn’t mean I won’t also buy them on Switch 2 though!)

They’d have to use a 128GB cartridges and I bet those run at 20-30 bucks a pop. So yeah, let the crowd decide. Make it digitally 49,99 and 69,99-79,99 physically.

F**K!

Well...I guess I'm grabbing it on PS5 then. I was hoping to hold out for Nintendo, but screw this bull.

@tobsesta99 Yeah, I did not realize I actually mistyped it as card and not code.

Clearly downloading software is where the broader industry is at. Asking EA / Hazelight now for a key cart release in the future will have infinitely more sway than bemoaning the full data on disk. It’s just not in their interests to print games anymore

Like anyone expected anything more from EA. Of course they're the ones to do this. I bet the actual devs didn't get a say.

How disappointing. I was looking forward to double dipping with the Switch 2 version to show support to the devs. I'll stick with my physical copy for PS5. At this rate, I'll be saving money by skipping this code in a box & game key card crap devs are going for.

It's Electronic Arts, its expected they'll take the cheapest least consumer friendly option of they can.

I just straight up haven't bought their games since 2010's Command & Conquer 4 and its not going to change.

I don't know why Hazel Light Games works for such a shoddy publisher.

Wonder how many people again will stroll in here to finger wag wondering why people have a problem about no actual physical.

Well, the boxes are ugly enough to want to go full digital anyways.

I can't lie, Switch 2 isn't looking that appealing to me any more. Then again, maybe I just finally grew out of gaming. Or into another depression... or both...

@Teksette is that you, Jordan?😀

Told you that there will be code in a box as well. Nonsens continues.

I don't know but is it possible we're getting this large number of third party game keys and codes because publishers or Nintendo wanted to rush their games out for launch and it was the only way they could make it in time?

This is driven by retail. Its like the final stand for games on shelves in shops before the whole thing goes fully digital.

It's an embarrassing approach to selling videogames in 2025 and shows just how desperate the bricks and mortar retailers are. It's time to pack up shop.

Dang, I thought for sure the first one of these spotted would be from Ubisoft. But, it is EA, so it's basically the same thing.

@Spider-Kev Aha, was going to add exactly that. Third "game" is actually just an insult to their customers.

I won't be forgetting that anytime soon WB Games.

To stay on topic ... code-in-a-box and key cards I find insulting as well.

No surprises that it's EA doing code-in-a-box.

That's why I felt like Virtual Game Cartridge or whatever the name is a good solution and better than just having a key in the box which is useless afterwards but at least the new type of Cartridge you can still sell it later after you finish the game.

expect this going forward from third parties no matter what size the game is!!!!

Oh come on! Just put the game into a Key Card, at least! This is cheap, very cheap.
No way I will buy this game, then, until it's on a big sale in the eShop.
Great game, terrible service.

Game not on card = instant pass. Simple as that.

At 71GB this games costs £13.86 to store on an official Nintendo SD express card.

How lazy is that company cause first they not done much optimization for game files for NS2 version too make it smaller so it endd up currently heaviest NS2 game atm and secondly it will be sold as Code-in-the-Box aka it will be completely Digital game sale where your only Physical gain is just a Case...

not going to buy any code in a box or key card games.

This is *****. These are digital downloads in a fancy case. At the very least give us keycards, so we can sell on or share them.

Nintendo: "We created those carts specifically for companies like you so you can save up mon-"
EA: "But they still cost money, right?"
Nintendo: "Yes, but-"
EA: "Thanks, but no thanks."

That’s a shame for physical collectors. For people who are open to buying digital I still strongly recommend Split Fiction though. I’m currently on my third play through and it’s still an incredibly fun time, even if repeat plays lack the wonderful surprise element of that first time. It’s a brilliant gem of a game.

Let's be real, they never said these wouldn't exist, it was always safe to assume they unfortunately still would.

The hope is that publishers that would have opted to go for CIAB would go for a game key card instead.

Code in a box, for me, is a practice that shouldn't exist. Those box are just a waste of material and transport to give you nothing more than an e-shop game. At least they could have used a game key so that the game was not only available for one account.

I thought the game key cards would make this crap disappear. How disappointing.

I'll be buying all of my games digitally so it doesn't impact me personally, but it feels like they should have just scrapped physical media this generation and reserved the cart slot purely for Switch1 software.
With most people moving to digital gaming these days, the only people this is appealing to are collectors (who hate the code-in-a-box, key card nonsense) or casual consumers shopping in-store/online (who will be totally confused by the code-in-a-box, key card nonsense)

Struggling to see the benefit

@electrolite77
There is an argument to be made that this is exactly what they were hoping for with regards to the game key cards.

@Smug43 No, expect game key cards, except from the real cheapskate publishers.

@OTBC87
"but it feels like they should have just scrapped physical media this generation and reserved the cart slot purely for Switch1 software."

Fortunately you don't make the decisons, that would absolutely be a horrendous call.

Your next statement too is something you are claiming to be right, just because all digital works for you an you are not phased by X and Y, it doesn't mean that's the way. Surely the uproar on game key cards has told you that?

All this is going to do is drive more people to buying a PC handheld. What's the point supporting third parties on a platform that shows their customers nothing but contempt?

A lot of current gen games are available on GOG anyway, so it's a hard pass on all of these anti-physical releases.

Now I'm especially glad that I hoarded so many Switch 1 games seeing as this generation is looking like a colossal letdown before it's even really begun (and if it's any indication of what's to come, I doubt I'll be buying Nintendo's console after this one).

At least the retailer gets a cut of these? That's good for gamestop, I guess.

I was considering this game but will get it on ps5 if this is the switch situation.

Shoot - I thought the whole game key card thing meant they were getting rid of code in a box releases. They key card thing doesn’t bother me too much as you can sell or lend the game, but code in a box seems made specifically to dupe people

EA: The Game is Not in.

Split fiction was readily available on ps5 for around 33 quid. All on disc. Why would I pay a silly price for a download code. Developers are getting greedy. This was going to be a day one purchase for me if physical. Now I'll just buy on Ps5. Nintendo games sell on nintendo systems as they are on the cartridge.

I was considering buying it to play with my son, I'll wait for a huge discount on the eshop. We are playing it takes two on switch right now so we're good but digital only mean I'll wait for a 10€ price on eshop and if I have enough space on my card because 71gb...

I'm this close 🤏 to skipping this Nintendo generation, and I've bought every single Nintendo console since the Gamecube. Why bother buying a Switch 2 if almost every single third party game is either game key or download code? While on PS5, I can have the game on disc for 20€ less? I'd rather stick to my ROG Ally than buying a new system that will do exactly the same thing (and buying a PC key will also be less expensive).

It's crazy how much of an outcry there is among a few gamers about this online when the grand majority of average Switch owners won't care (or notice).

I fail to see how this is an issue for anyone
Code in a box are subject to sales that download codes typically aren’t

@SillyG to be fair, Switch 1's initial 3rd party titles were almost all exclusively digital. BOTW was the only physical release for what felt like months, so Switch 2 is actually looking pretty good in comparison.

Companies like EA are always going to cheapskate. This is the company that breached SEGA's copyright on the Mega Drive/Genesis by reverse-engineering the cart so that they could sell EA-built MD carts without having to pay for the SEGA license. They are, and have always been, a company of scumbags.

Nintendo sticking to a cartridge (of sorts) I think is crucial for the preservation of games, and there are plenty of developers and publishers that have made physical sales an important part of their business model, like Limited Run. So I suspect there will continue to be plenty of physical copies to chose from through Switch 2's life time and beyond.

@Fake-news
Hah, no, it’s just me, Teksette, though I watch Jordan (Physical Paradise) often on YouTube and he’s got a useful stream for people who like to collect physical games. Jordan pretty much trademarked that “ code in the box BS” moniker, but I called it much the same upon learning of such things years ago. 😉

Game key cards would have been better than a damn code in a box. Code in a box should be for PC only, since everything there is now digital only.

@Khwarezm89 Virtual Game Cards have so far only been shown for Nintendo first-party titles

@Medic_alert I told people a while back I believe this will be the last physical media console from Nintendo. They are trying to get people used to an all digital future with the game key card bs. They were too afraid to just make the Switch 2 all digital because they knew the backlash would be intense.

How much data is actually on the Key Cards?
This is something I have NOT seen or heard being talked about!

It it literally just the license? So like 1Mb? Is it 1Gb?

This is insane, Nintendo need to step up here and find a way to entice these publishers to just go fully physical. This is getting close to be the most embarrassing launch of a console I've seen.

Instant NO BUY.......need say more...

Nope I won’t be supporting the code in the box practice I did not on switch 1 and am not supporting it on switch 2 either. I don’t mind game key cards which are better than download codes but much prefer everything on cartridge.

They had one job.

@Spider-Kev Oh yeah! So there’s 1 game on cart, one game needs to be downloaded. And you waste 14 gigs of storage for a slideshow.

@Spider-Kev It’s literally JUST the license. There’s been a rumor spreading around that there are only 3 sizes of game carts (key-card, 8 gigs, and 64 gigs), and it becomes more and more believable every day.

I know everyone is in their feels about the key cards, but let me tell you, THIS is the real predatory "physical" solution that has to stop. This serves ZERO purpose other than to make all of us mad and frustrated. Taking away resale value from a physical game defeat half the purpose of why people still buy physical. It's just DUMB

No problem - just by it on eshop !!!

I never understood what the point of these was and who they were made for it’s just seems like a waste of money and plastic

@joeyflannel not everyone cares about the resale value of a game. Once a game is in my collection, I am never reselling it.

@Aurumonado same, when something is digital, and I can get it anytime, there is no need to make sure you have a physical archival copy for the future even if you're not playing it the same year it came out. On Switch 2 I can see my backlog not growing. That said, it's not the fault of the publisher there is no card big enough for the game.

If your gonna sell a game code why put it in a Switch 2 box? seems like a waste of plastic

Just shows how cheap EA is when it comes to physical. I’m not hopeful that Madden will be on a cartridge now.

EDIT: Confirmed Game Key card. Now I might get it.

This "code in the box" crap is not even useful to replace a broken game case as the card holder inside is missing.

@pikachupikachup
I'm just wondering the actual size of the Key Cards...

@Rosona - confused why skipping physical this gen would be such a "horrendous" call. Clearly most publishers have no intention of paying the premium to stamp their games onto cartridges and the interest in physical media for the consumer is rapidly dying out, so why create this confusing half-step?

To be clear, I still like purchasing physical media, but I have accepted that isn't going to be a viable option going forward.

Code in a box, just a waste of plastic.

I get this idea basically for one purpose: buying a gift for someone, otherwise if I'm buying something physically, I want the game on the cart!

Anything other than the full fat game on the physical cart is not worth being on your shelf. It's a shame because physical collectors are really doing nothing more than collecting the physical game case these days. Since you have to do a digital download anyway with these code in boxes and game key cards, all they should be doing is making digital downloads resellable, but, that's apparently where the game key cards come in. You fake own it, but can real sell it. I've slapped my forehead so many times at all this...

@Shiiva It's not a mistake. The game is 73GB. It won't fit on the biggest cart.

@Gabe250 That's a very big game, holy moly! Interested to hear more about all the different kinds of releases from Nintendo, we need a bigger deep dive into the hardware for sure.

EA doing EA things. Who knew.

71GB? Wow, for a mobile device that would be prohibitely high, but how much does it weight on other platforms by comparison?
Maybe it's understandable they wouldn't have used a 64GB cartridge since it would've made the price more expensive, but even for some a Game-Key card would've been preferable.
Besidses, I thought they were using their new AI-upscaling tech to reduce game file sizes, still early days I guess.

I got a code-in-a-box only once and that happened recently when I bought Octopath Traveler from Amazon. The reason is that the price was lower than lowest eshop price (as I found out on deku deals).
Otherwise this format is pretty pointless and just a waste of plastic.
At least key cards give you the chance to resell games.

Only collectors care about stuff like this. When was the last time you bought a DVD for a movie?