Nintendo Switch 2 and the new small cartridges: what's really going on

El physical format of Nintendo Switch 2 It has become one of the most debated topics. between players, publishers, and developers. The system has relied primarily on 64GB cartridges and game key cardsThis combination works for big releases, but complicates life for smaller productions and those who still prefer to have the complete game on the card.

In recent days, a chain of leaks, corrected statements, and rumors regarding assumptions small cartridges for Switch 2 This has set off alarm bells. Several key issues are on the table: new storage sizes, the role of European publishers, how physical editions are becoming more expensive, and whether all this will actually help to increase the number of games on traditional cartridges.

New small cartridges for Switch 2: what has been said so far

Until recently, the situation was very simple but inflexible: Nintendo only offered 64 GB cartridges as the main physical option for Switch 2, and to reduce costs many companies resorted to the Game Key Cards or game key cardsa half-baked physical format that actually forces Download the title from the eShop.

In that context, several industry sources began to point out that Nintendo is reportedly preparing lower capacity cartridges. for their new console. There was even specific talk about 32GB and 16GB versionsdesigned for games that don't need much space, such as many indie games or retro titles. The idea, on paper, is simple: reduce the cost of physical support in those cases where a 64GB cartridge is clearly excessive.

These rumors aligned with another move that was considered a given within the sector: given the price increase of the NAND Flash memory and RAMNintendo is reportedly looking for ways to keep physical media from becoming unviable. They've even considered a scenario where, if costs skyrocket, they would offer... very low capacity cartridges that only include the executable to activate, Install games on Nintendo Switch and download the rest of the content, something that is already seen on other platforms with discs that do not contain all the data.

Meanwhile, some more speculative analyses suggest that these small cartridges would allow partially circumventing the so-called “Nintendo Switch tax"That usual price premium in physical editions of the Switch family compared to other consoles, precisely because of the higher cost of the card compared to the optical disc."

The role of ININ Games and the R-Type Dimensions III case

The rumor took a significant turn when ININ Games, a publisher specializing in retro and independent games, spoke openly about these allegations smaller Switch 2 cartridges when announcing the physical edition of R-Type Dimensions III for Europe and the United States.

In an initial statement, the company explained that Nintendo had announced two new, smaller cartridge sizes for Nintendo Switch 2According to their initial message, this new feature allowed them “recalculating production in a way that was not previously possible” and guaranteed that the game would be published in full physical cartridge instead of on a Game Key Card, something they had previously considered unfeasible due to the cost.

ININ also detailed the economic impact of the decision: the use of these new cartridges would make the The price of the physical edition and the special edition of Switch 2 will increase by around €10 regarding what they had planned. Even so, they announced that Pre-orders of the special edition would maintain the original price, a kind of nod to those who supported the project from the beginning.

The case of R-Type Dimensions III It is especially representative because, according to the editor herself, until now the only realistic option was to resort to the game key cardWith the new cartridge sizes on the table, the company sees room for the title to arrive in "traditional" physical format in both Europe as in North America, although with a slightly higher RRP.

16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB: the supposed range of cartridges

Based on ININ's messages and other leaked information, a scenario has emerged in which Switch 2 would feature several physical cartridge optionsThe following would be on the table:

• Game Key Card or Game Key Card, which acts more as a physical license and download launcher.
• A cartridge of 16 GB, geared towards small or indie games.
• An intermediate option of 32 GBdesigned for medium-sized or "double A" productions.
• The cartridge of 64 GB, reserved for large titles that require a lot of space.

Several articles have explained that this segmentation by capacity This would allow for better cost control. An indie game weighing only a few gigabytes wouldn't make sense on a 64GB cartridge, while a major AAA title might need all that memory. Thus, A mid-range title could fit perfectly in 32 GB, and the most modest productions could easily live in 16 GB.

The underlying idea is that, if the support becomes cheap enough, More studios will be encouraged to release full physical versions On Switch 2, instead of relying solely on digital downloads or keycards, this flexibility in format can be the difference between being on store shelves or not. For publishers working in Europe or targeting European audiences with more controlled print runs, this flexibility can be the difference between success and failure.

However, even within this optimistic view, two obstacles are identified. On the one hand, The cost difference between a lower capacity cartridge and a 64 GB cartridge wouldn't be that great. as many would like, especially with the current price of memory. On the other hand, the reading speed of the cartridges The limitations of the system's internal memory remain a technical challenge that Nintendo will have to manage to avoid impacting loading times; issues that have been addressed in news reports about the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 update and its performance.

ININ's corrections and the absence of an official announcement from Nintendo

This whole situation is complicated by the way in which ININ Games has corrected its statements During the last few hours. After releasing its initial statement, the publisher updated its message to Remove any reference to an official Nintendo announcement regarding the storage sizes of Switch 2 cartridges and any prior mention of specific sizes “should not be interpreted as official information”The company has also revised the information published on its own website regarding the physical edition of R-Type Dimensions III, erasing direct references to these alleged small cartridges.

Interestingly, in some promotional materials The image of a large Switch 2 cartridge next to a smaller one continues to be shown.This has further fueled speculation. For many, this reversal sounds like an internal reprimand or a warning from Nintendo, which is usually very strict with the information it shares with its partners before a public announcement. In this context, concerns also arise about how to distinguish legitimate media and avoid counterfeits, something explained in guides for detect counterfeit cartridges.

On social media and specialized forums, the majority interpretation is that ININ may have spoken out of turn. By detailing specific storage sizes, perhaps based on confidential information or agreements not yet ready for public release. It cannot be ruled out, however, that some of what was said stemmed from an internal misunderstanding within the company itself.

Impact on Europe: Higher prices, but more games on full cartridges

From the point of view of those who buy and distribute games in Spain and the rest of EuropeThe key lies in how these affect small cartridges to the availability and price of physical editions. The case of R-Type Dimensions III is a first clue as to where things might be headed.

On the one hand, the possibility of using a smaller capacity cartridge has allowed ININ confirm a full physical print run for Europe and the United StatesThis was something that until now seemed out of the question due to its high cost. This could open the door for other similar titles, especially indie or retro games, to venture into a boxed release.

On the other hand, the company itself acknowledges that this decision This will increase the final price by around €10 contrary to what they initially had in mind. That is, the stand may be smaller and theoretically cheaper, but the production cost is still high enough to be reflected in the retail price. This aligns with what other industry sources are saying, who insist that the general rise in the price of memory and semiconductors It is putting publishers in a difficult position when it comes to setting competitive prices.

In addition to that, two problems are pointed out that these smaller cartridges do not solve on their own: read speed versus system memorywhich affects performance and loading times, and the small real difference in cost compared to 64 GB cartridges In some cases. If that margin is not enough, certain publishers may continue to opt for the Game Key Cards or even abandon the physical format altogether. For those who need practical solutions to physical media failures, there are guides on how to troubleshooting game cartridge problems.

In any case, in the European market there is a hardcore gamers who want to have the full game on the cartridgewithout any additional mandatory downloads. For that audience, the mere possibility of expanding the range of physical options for Switch 2 is already perceived as a step forward, even if it comes with somewhat higher prices.

Small cartridges versus game key cards: an open debate

The discussion about the small cartridges The Switch 2 cannot be separated from the controversy surrounding the game key cardsThese cards, which simply include the minimum data to validate the purchase and force the download from the digital store, have been heavily criticized by players who value physical collectibles.

From the publishers' and Nintendo's perspective, this format is defended as a cheapest option for titles that otherwise wouldn't fit on a 64GB cartridge without skyrocketing costs. It's also argued that, in a context where more and more users are primarily playing digital games, this solution allows them to continue offering something "physical" in stores at a reasonable price.

With the arrival of cartridges of 16 GB and 32 GBThe hope of many players is that Reduce dependence on key cards and more games that can actually be played entirely from the card, without massive additional downloads, will be seen. That said, even some developers admit that Switching from a key card to a full cartridge could maintain the price premium. around $10 or €10 per copy, so it's not a magic solution.

At the most pessimistic extreme, some sources do not rule out that, if memory prices continue to rise, Nintendo may eventually generalize the use of very low-capacity cartridges that only act as activatorsThis replicates a model already seen in other systems with discs that don't contain the full game. This would keep the "box + card" format alive, but without addressing the main complaint of more traditional gamers.

The fundamental question is whether Switch 2 will truly focus on improving the physical experience for all segments (AAA, AA and indie) or if the small cartridges will remain mainly as a tool for certain publishers to better balance their accounts without excessively altering the current model.

With everything that has come to light, the picture that is emerging for Nintendo Switch 2 and its small cartridges It's a delicate balance between cost, availability, and player expectations. On paper, offering 16GB and 32GB options alongside the current 64GB could make it easier for more titles to reach European stores. full physical cartridgeespecially retro and independent projects that until now were relegated to keycard or digital-only releases.

However, the lack of a official announcement by NintendoThe corrections made by ININ Games and the real impact of the memory price increase make it clear that, for now, we're facing a change in progress rather than a definitive solution. What does seem evident is that physical media will remain very present in the Switch 2 ecosystem, although its form and price will be a subject of debate for quite some time.