Nintendo fans have mixed feelings about the Switch 2 due to a significant change in how third-party games are being distributed. Many of these games won’t come fully loaded on the physical cartridge. Instead, they’ll require a “game-key card.”
When you pop in a game-key card, you’ll need to download the actual game to your console. Don’t toss that card, though—it’s necessary for ongoing play. Nintendo explains that these cards act more like keys, granting access to download the complete game online. Once you have it downloaded, starting the game is the same as always: insert the card, and you’re good to go.
While some publishers, including Nintendo itself, intend to release games fully on physical cards, we’re building a resource to help you easily find these titles so you can make better purchasing choices.
We’ll strive to keep this guide current. If you see any mistakes or missing entries, please reach out so we can improve.
### Complete Game List for Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is launching globally on June 5, 2025. It will cost £395.99 in the UK, €469.99 in Europe, and $449.99 in the U.S.
