Another Switch 2 "Code-In-Box" Physical Release Appears Online

Another code in the box. God help us all...🙄🤦‍♂️

xbox does not care about releasing physical games anymore.

While pointless I sometimes think 'why not just have a poster/box with a pamplet the paper without the code to tell people to buy it digital' then a download code. I know it's stupid but i mean it's just as meaningless as a download code.

But yeah if just like others have said of get Switch 1 and upgrade pack, buy pass it entirely. Not surprised.

Sigh like Switch 1 avoiding. Other then Drawn To Life Two Realms or NFS Hot Pursuit 2010 Remastered (to see both internet required and download code) I was never going to get either anyway. At least NFS it's just MP, and SP is on the cart so I can use the 1.0 version on the cart and still play.

Like do they really want retail customers money that badly, clearly not if they offer download codes and people go 'nah pass' that's whatever percentage that will and those that won't leading to lost sales right there versus digital sales. I mean if a download code, the box, artwork and art/paper for the download code costs that much, why have a retail presence at all?

What for physical type customers? The people that are new to Civ then the ones that are aware of Civ and buy physical, see this and go nah pass. The percentage and types of people vary but I mean come on. As if advertising isn't as eh as it is for gaming these days and how casual people do things I mean.... What do they expect to gain from cutting costs and particular messaging and download code ok with casuals and those that aren't.

I think I saw a mother that went nope to a download code once in store (different to the one I saw ask me about V Bucks via the PS store or wallet cards and had a Dualsense in box in hand), if some people are that way and aren't that aware of gaming that's lost sales by companies expecting ALL casuals to do so when they won't, some people are particular and determine that value or using a system with internet/online either. Some won't so some never access the eshop either. That's lost sales right there. Not just parental controls or those not tech aware either. I think some people may just have such values and go nope. I'm just theorising of course but some people fit into some sort of mindset as such to be possible like that.

Civ is different sure but if like Mario Rabbids or Pacman Re-Pac or others then yeah in a way that's lost sales by their own stupidity as companies thinking all casuals will bend over for them. Not all will, not just gaming aware hardcore like us.

Offer a card or have a piece of paper/poster on the shelf but retailers probably won't work with those posters/shelf space taken up with no code and for companies it's not good enough messaging even though download codes are enough 'we don't care' messaging as can get.

Companies are just lazy and dodgy. Why bother. Civ 7 is 'getting there' but the changes are odd and it takes time to fix it.

Why support such nonsense from 2K/Take Two.

I mean the Meta version is unique to it but otherwise we don't even get alternate versions on hardware anymore besides VR or phones nowadays. Not that the current ones are GOOD as much to me PS2/Wii/PSP ones were better, even sometimes then HD PS3/360/PC versions.

What's the point? Clearly Collector's aren't the only people who buy physical, and clearly most physical collectors will pass on the code in box release. So these are for those people who randomly check out the games section at a store, and impulse buy. So there must be a large enough audience of those type of buyers to warrent even doing this type of "physical" release.

I think that eventually these types of releases will fade in popularity among the publishers. I hope once they start to see their sales diminish in the physical sector, and they don't see an uptick in the digital sales that offsets it, they will go back to doing atleast some game data on the cart type of releases, or all data on the cart.

They also had the So called switch tax. They should just do that. If it really costs $10 more per game to release it physical, I'd pay that for it to be physical. Or they can just stop being dumb and release a physical.

Civ vi is 100% a game I'd have bought physical, and likely never play more than a few hours, preferring to play this type of game on pc. There's many games that fall into this category that I will now not have to buy and waste my money, since they'll all likely do this code in a box crap.

Since things like this have made me lose interest in a Switch 2, are there any rumors of a Switch 1 PRICE DROP? I could see myself buying a couple more of those for the kids now that I know I don't have to save money for Switch 2.

So what they're basically telling everyone is to just buy the Switch 1 version on a deep sale and then grab the upgrade pack, completely by-passing the Switch 2 crap-in-a-box scam edition? Got it.

This is the reason I have lower hype with Switch 1 and even way lower hype with Switch 2.
Code in box, streaming only, and now game key card. 🙄
Absolutely stupid idea to sell empty game card / code in box.

People acting like this is new when it was all over the Switch 1. Literally couldn't go into any game/department store without seeing 3, 4, 5, or 6 titles like this on the shelf. ... It was just for titles y'all weren't interested in.

That said, not excusing it. It sucks.

Well at least this has an upgrade from the Switch 1. Could just find the Switch 1 version for cheaper and then just get the upgrade pack

Well that’s just dumb. Why force people to go digital for the better version of the game? Unless this isn’t a better version.

Man this is even worst than game key card. Hard to believe the only good third party game news about the Switch 2 is Cyberpunk 2077 and Marvelous games.

@MrDocena Yeah, it’s not new, but it seems like every third party game releasing on Switch 2 that isn’t Cyberpunk 2077 is either doing a code-in-the-box release or game-key card release.

2K is too stingy to even pay for a GameKey cart.

@Anti-Matter The problem is that to them, it’d be stupid to not do something like that, since it’s cheaper and can entice people to go all digital. But of course, that isn’t the case.

@speedracer216 As far as I know, you’re best bet is either getting a used/refurbished model or waiting for Black Friday. In general, I don’t think Nintendo plans on dropping the price, which sucks.

@tylerryan79 Problem: most other people wouldn’t pay more for a full physical release.

Yay! Civ 7 is coming to switch 2!

@John_Deacon And much to everyone’s surprise , one of the few companies keeping the physical release alive is none other than Nintendo itself.

This is 2k did we really expect any different? Nintendo basically made the game key cards to combat stuff like this. But leave it to companies like EA and 2K to take the worst possible route.

Nintendo: Game key cartridges for you to use

Some 3rd party developers: (still puts code in a box)

Guess I'll stick with Civ VI.

Super unfavorable take but I would choose a game key over code in the box. And I am still not as down on game key cards as the rest of the internet. I will probably get a few third party games like this. Physical on the card is the best but I will take other third parties coming to the system. Support is support.

Yeah, that's about what i expected

I have my Switch 2 preordered but I’m really hoping game sales plummet due to stupid decisions like this. I know the higher prices and code in a box thing are definitely going to make me more selective about the Switch games I buy.

Can we get some game reviews or coverage instead of just these kinds of posts repeatedly?

I'm avoiding all code-in-a-box games like the plague. If you're too lazy and cheap to AT LEAST give us a game key card I'm too lazy and cheap to spend my money with you.

@StewdaMegaManNerd
Which should be a genuine eye-opener for customers to realize which publishers want to get rid of physical games for maximum profit. It's like a jar that leaves a mark on whoever puts their hand in it.

Some games have an excuse, like FF7, which literally can't fit into the cartridge.
The others, though...

To reiterate, I'm actually fine with Game Key Carts, since I know the publishers wouldn't want to make it physical otherwise (at least I have something I can trade/share/sell).
But these Download Cards? It's always been HORRENDOUS and SUCH a waste of plastic.

So what`s the problem ? Just buy it on the eshop !

@Bizzyb : Exactly what I was going to suggest.

I don't even like the idea of buying upgrade packs as I'd rather double-dip so that I can actually own a tangible/complete copy of a game, but this... ugh.

@siavm : If this is the quality of third-party "support" we have to look forward to, then third parties can stick it.

They could at least have the decency to release limited initial prints with everything on the cartridge and then issue cheaper codes/keys in reprints, but... 🤷‍♂️

Looks like I will keep Switch 1 versions and just buy the upgrade.

lol, people here complaining about the lack of physical editions, yet data on consumer purchases have shown the rise in digital sales have been outperforming physical for a while now.

Why do you think digital only consoles exist now? Not to mention PC & PC handhelds are strongly on the digital scene.

@SillyG man, same here. I'm buying the physical release of Zelda TotK for NS2 despite having it on Switch just to get that fully loaded cartridge. Hopefully if we vote with our wallets, this key-card/code in box nonsense disappears.

@Chimichanga
This has little to do with it being digital. This has everything to do with it being absolutely pointless as a manufactured product.
A Code-on-Card package literally offers nothing other than a paperweight of a video game case.

You could just advertise your game on a standing ad in a store and make MORE SALES WITH THAT than a box with a card in it. It's a waste of consumers' purchase, as well as a waste of publishers' spending on manufacturing a bunch of basically-empty boxes.
No one wants to collect empty boxes.
Those who buy these things in stores aren't buying it to collect the box: they're either buying it out of ignorance of how to buy the game from the digital store... Or they're buying it as a gift for someone else. In either case: the empty box is something everyone throws away.

Booooo! Boooooo!!!

they made it a live service game... this means I skip or buy late in a bigger sale

@HugoGED : I'm also skipping BoTW out of principle as the DLC isn't on the cartridge, which is utterly crazy considering how old the content is, plus the fact that there was a Japanese release with everything on the cartridge for Switch 1, and people who had bought that would have to buy the DLC again to be able to play it if they were to double-dip with the physical Switch 2 release. 🤦🏻‍♂️

@HugoGED Sure the key-card / code in boxes would dissappear. But do you think that will lead to more games on cards?

I don't think so. I see these as a physical way to sell a downloadable game. Nothing else.

What's worse than a key-card?

@Chimichanga Is your argument that people shouldn't complain about the lack of physical gaes because digital games are popular?

It looks like Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 and 4 might be Code In A Box too:

https://www.coolshop.co.uk/product/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-4-code-in-box/23R5XE/

I am still not over the fact that they don’t include paper manuals anymore.

Sheer incompetence from Firaxis. There’s no way you could get the game working in the Switch 1 but can’t do it with more powerful hardware.

If it’s not incompetence it’s even worse.

It seems quite clear to me that the intention of game keys is to replace physical carts, not downloads. If Nintendo wanted game keys to replace code in a box releases, they could have barred code in a box releases entirely.
Looking at it from a publishers perspective, and as has been stated even by those that defend game key releases, they want to make the most money they can, with the lowest outlay possible. I guess that's just business. Bearing this in mind, which do you think they would find preferable?
Option A: Game keys replacing download titles, supposedly introducing a second-hand market for digital games while also increasing expenditure, or ...
Option B: Game keys replacing physical releases, reducing outlay and therefore increasing profits.

I agree with those saying they would pay $10 more for a proper physical release. The problem is, to the publisher, the proposition is still the same. No matter what you're paying, they can make more money from you by giving you less, and they would still want to do that if they could get away with it, even were you to pay double.

Easy, then: buy the game on Switch 1, and then get the upgrade for the Switch 2.

You know you don’t have to buy the console or the games right ? I’m surprised that console physical media is still a thing - every other physical media is dying or gone ….

Damn not even a key card? They could’ve at least met us half way…

@8bit-Man I used to take Snes manuels to school all the time to just read them again and again. They were so dense with info and lovely pictures!

Not going to buy a key card let alone this.

Games like this i buy on the Eshop.
Games like. Cyberpunk, streetfighter, donkeykong i will buy Physical.

This is just so sad... Switch 2 is already a lost cause for me as I only buy physical and it looks like its going in another direction... O well... Maybe Ill get one when its cheaper but now its not worth it at all...

Whenever I hear "Code in a box" I just hear it being sung by Lonely Island.

@John_Deacon
The artistry is nearly none existent. There's nothing substantial, unique or dazzling about modern physical video game media. Most of it just looks like vacant throwaways slathered in legal text agreement. lol The 8-16 bit stuff(NES, SNES, GameBoy, Genesis etc) is where it's at, and with a splash of 95/96' PS1 Long Boxes, and White Label 99' Dreamcast games hehe.

$9.99 for some whole extra game(s) elsewhere now or for/towards this very game's own inevitable expansion packs later... OR for 60 fps in a turn-based strategy? Decisions, decisions...

Hell no we won't go- online to download a game we bought for our shelves!

its better then just a code in box.

A hard pass from me. Several games I'd play but not prepared to move from physical just yet.

Some publishers are trying to make game key cards look good in comparison. This is utterly ridiculous.

Worse than a keygame cartridge and digital stores exist. Why bother? I guess if you don’t have a credit card, but it still seems like a total waste.

@MrDocena lol it's true. No one says anything about pc gaming. Thats all digital nowadays. Xbox followed suite. Unfortunately it's future and Nintendo is just embracing it

I guess the (il)logic here is push people to buy the Switch 1 real physical edition and then pay another $10 for the Switch 2 upgrade, rather than buy one empty cart later. But this is still insulting: You were able to get it on a cart for Switch 1 but can't do it for Switch 2?

Code in a box just feels like advertising in a Retail space. In fairness though and in particular to this title, I'm guessing the majority of sales are for PC so they are generally digital in their sales anyway.

It is a bit strange though that the SW1 release is physical. It may be that they are just moving in this direction because it's a new gen and clean break to go all digital.

This is on my list for some point and one I am unlikely to trade in so ok with a digital only offering. I'm not however going to get an empty box. Eshop for me.

Not even a Key-Card release? Really? Typical 2K.

When they started to remove manuals from the retail boxes, I thought we hit rock bottom. I was wrong.

I know most kids aren’t playing CIV but the idea of buying, or rather even just explaining to someone wanting to buy a Switch 2 game as a gift for someone else just got a lot more complicated.

This is the last game I bought on Switch 1. So am I able to just upgrade in the eshop?

I've decided I'm getting games on eshop at a steep sale and true physical media at full price.
Perhaps I only purchase new games as I play the old ones. I can't afford to lose all the games I haven't touched in the future.

code-in-a-box "physical" releases are the most pointless things....

I was absolutely excited for the Switch 2, but the more stories coming out about Code in Box and Game Key Cards, my excitement has all but gone. Probably will cancel my preorder now.

The only fathomable reason I can think of to get a CIAB is if the game is on sale for cheaper than it is in the eShop, and you get a free spare game case.

@johnedwin hence the reason why I bought a PS5 and not the newest XBOX. Sony got my business rather than Microsoft.

I wouldn't object if it were a slab of cardboard with the codes printed on it, but because it comes in a cartridge case, I don't like it.

The fact that it presents itself as physical media that can be transferred post-purchase, when it cannot, is the problem.

The publisher wanted to sell something that could be played on a Nintendo Switch 1 or 2 (with an upgrade on 2).

Their options were:
1. A physical SW1 game cartridge, with a free upgrade. They want the upgrade to be paid.
2. A physical SW1 game cartridge, with the upgrade available on the eShop as a separate purchase. They want the prestige and sales longevity of a SW2 game release.
3. A 64GB "Switch 2 Edition" cartridge playable on SW1 or SW2. They don't want to pay for the 64GB cartridge.
4. A Game Key Card release of the SW2 version of the game, not playable on SW1.
5. Digital only. They chose this, but are selling the codes in a box. This sucks for consumers.

I don't know whether the SW1 can handle "Game Key Card" releases. It would seem not, though the reason for this is probably a Nintendo policy and not a technical limitation. If Nintendo wanted to allow them, they could simply update the firmware of the SW1. The technology for this is the same as for "Virtual Game Cards", which are now on SW1.

@SaltySpitoon957 Not even a Key-Card release? Really? Typical 2K.
In totally agreement just give a Key-Card. They can fit it on a 64gb card and just charge for it. Or tell Nintendo give us 1gb up to 64gb card or no Switch 2 games???? It's the Publishers whom decides this not Nintendo-if enough of them makes it known Nintendo will do it. But they got no "balls" to do this.

Are we going to moan and groan everytime one of these codes in a box articles appear. And each time act so surprised this is actually happening. Physical media is dying we do not have to like this but it's reality.

This to me is a decent compromise. You still get the box and a cart of sorts.. Better than everything just being a download. Hell a code in a box is better than that.

@Hwatt,

Buy them a download code card. It's only complicated because you are making it sound that way.

@killercereal

It’s complicated because past context (physical game boxes typically contain a physical disk or cart) and the vendor / retailer is providing two different products that have no tangible difference.

Don’t make it personal. It’s objectively confusing.

More ***** in a box. Way to be green towards environment waste plastic . Transporting to store. Then plastic box end up in the trash. I don't get people's thinking. Except free advertising on a shelf. Way this going better off buying a Wii if dont own one. Might as well made switch 2 digital only.

@PharoneTheGnome I dont own either but was waiting to see what Nintendo release. Now prob just buy a ps5 so I can play fs25. I miss playing new Pokémon games. But just have replay ones own on switch.

I see no point to code in box. None.

Another one to avoid !

@Hwatt,

Not making it personal at all. I think this is subjectively worse at best. Like I said before I prefer physical media. But sometimes you just have to change with the times.

Oh joy! Something even worse than game key cards which are themselves ridiculous. Pass. Next!

Code in a box and game key card titles are DoA as far as I am concerned.

You gotta buy the Switch 1 physical then upgrade I guess.

@killercereal This to me is a decent compromise. You still get the box and a cart of sorts.. Better than everything just being a download. Hell a code in a box is better than that.
Contradictions upon contradictions. Code-in-box isn't better having "Key-Card far better. CIB is tied to Nintendo account and if you don't want it anymore nothing you can do about it. I got the Switch editions Physical and just buy the upgrade. I get the best of both worlds Physical/Switch 2 upgrade and play on Switch 2 that is better then Code-in-Box.

All I am bothered about is having the box. I never sell the games or loan them out.

@hunyow81,

Thank you for the sermon. Any more advice?

I am of course assuming you live off grid, have no heating or electricity, do not use a car or any from of transport, do not wear any clothes. And have no electrical items. If not it's pure hypocrisy.