The Nintendo Switch 2 is coming in less than a month on June 5, and the first party lineup packs quite the punch. From releasing day one with the massive Mario Kart World, rolling out the first few weeks with some massively enhanced Switch 2 Editions and then Donkey Kong Bananza the month after, it’s an exciting rollout for a console launch. Looking beyond the first party Nintendo releases, the third-party support for Switch 2 is a little more confusing – as it’s both a huge improvement from the first Switch, but also somewhat messy.
It feels like every third party-related reveal for the Switch 2 has been an alternating cycle of ‘it’s so over’ and ‘we’re so back’ from the gaming community at large. There’s an impressive amount of support for the Switch 2 from non-Nintendo developers, but at the same time some of these announcements and reveals have left a lot to be desired. Let’s dive into what’s going wrong and what’s worked well for the Switch 2 and its third party support so far.
Size matters – the game cartridge fiasco
Let’s start with the big one. Whilst every first party Nintendo Switch 2 game revealed comes with the whole game on the included game cartridge, third party developers have been split between putting the full game on a cartridge, or using Nintendo’s new and controversial Game Key Cards. The new Game Key Cards essentially function as a physical licence for a digital game, when inserted into the console it gives access to the full download and allows users to play the game, and when removed it revokes it. It was confusing to see so many developers choose to go for this not-so physical option, but even more confusing when the reasoning behind it was revealed.
According to several leaks and comments by developers, this is both Nintendo’s fault and sometimes the publishers’ fault. Allegedly, Nintendo offers publishers two choices for their physical game releases – either a 64 GB game cartridge or a Game Key Card. This is a very different approach from the original Switch, which had incremental size options ranging from 2 GB to 32 GB. As such, publishers must choose to either pay for the more expensive 64 GB Switch 2 cartridge, or the much cheaper Game Key Card.
Whilst some publishers or smaller indie games may make the very understandable choice to take the cheaper option – which is Nintendo’s fault for not offering any smaller options – it gets a bit confusing when some of the biggest third party developers and publishers are opting to choose the cheaper Game Key Card option instead of a full, proper release. For example, Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is a day one Switch 2 exclusive release from gaming giant Square Enix, but for some reason they didn’t choose for the full physical release. There’s also Sonic X Shadow Generations and Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut from SEGA which bizarrely only offer Game Key Card options, despite being giant day one releases that are sure to sell well.
Whilst Nintendo really should be offering more cartridge size options to be more accessible for smaller developers and publishers, it’s also a head-scratching decision that the mega publishers like SEGA and Square Enix would opt to cheap out on their releases. There are some third party developers and publishers who are going all the way with their physical releases, such as CD Projekt with their Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition release, but a shocking amount of Game Key Cards are already flooding the launch period lineup for the Switch 2.
Upgrade Packs are inconsistent
It’s not just the physical releases of third party developers that have been a little confusing though. The Switch 2 has its exclusive Switch 2 Editions, improved versions of Switch releases that can be unlocked by purchasing an Upgrade Pack or by buying the game for the first time with the upgrades included for one big price. It’s a simple system, but third party adoption of the Switch 2 Edition line has been all over the place. For example, some games like Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma or Sid Meier’s Civilization VII have simple upgrade routes. You either already own the base game then purchase the Upgrade Pack, or you buy it outright for Switch 2 with the upgrade included. Simple! But not every third party is making it that easy.
For example, Hogwarts Legacy will be receiving a $10 upgrade option to go from your Switch edition to Switch 2 Edition, but it’s not an official Upgrade Pack. Instead, players buy a brand new copy of Hogwarts Legacy specifically for the Switch 2, but if you own the game for the first Switch it’s discounted to $10. Still the same standard price to upgrade as other Switch 2 releases, but a weirdly clunky way to do it when the Upgrade Pack system is right there.
Things get messier still though, as some games just don’t support the Upgrade Pack system despite being on the original Switch and having a Switch 2 release. Sonic X Shadows Generations is available on the first Switch, but everyone who bought it will need to buy the entire game again at a higher price on Switch 2 should they wish to play the enhanced version. There is no Upgrade Pack to purchase, nor is there any discount for those who own the game already on Switch, you’re forced to make the purchase all over again.
Finally, and I admit this is a nitpick, but the pricing of Upgrade Packs is also strange. Nintendo set a clear precedent with their pricing system – basic upgrades to frame rate and resolution with small feature updates costs $9.99, whilst the Upgrade Packs that add substantial new content such as Kirby and the Forgotten Land which adds entire new level and platforming options is $19.99. It’s clear and consistent, and applies across all their first-party Upgrade Packs. However, the upgrade pack for Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma and Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar are exactly $10, whilst Civilization VII’s is $9.99. Sure it’s only one cent difference, but why is that an option to begin with? It’s confusing, and leaves the door open for some whacky and inconsistent Upgrade Pack prices, which is already happening in other regions right now. If we look at a different region, Nintendo’s basic Upgrade Packs are £7.99 in the UK, but the third party games mentioned are a full £10.
But it’s a good problem to have!
I’d like to end it on a positive note though, and say whilst there may be some mess going on with the Switch 2 and its third party support, we are in such a better position than we were when the first Switch launched. The day one support from third parties for the original Switch gave us games like Just Dance 2017, Skylanders: Imaginators, and the admittedly great indie game Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove. In comparison, the Switch 2 day one third party lineup includes Cyberpunk 2077, a long-awaited Bravely Default remaster, enhanced versions of two of the best Zelda games, Civilization, Street Fighter and the currently hugely popular gem Split Fiction. All those games, and more, using the full power of the Switch 2 on day one.
We’ve come a long way from the unpredictable gamble that was the launch of the Nintendo Switch. Nintendo has a great original lineup, the third party developers are lining up in droves to be part of the launch hype, and that gives players more options than ever. It’s a great time to be a Switch gamer and I’m so excited for the release of the Switch 2. That said, hopefully the third party support becomes more unified and less messy the further we get into Nintendo’s next generation.
Do you agree with our judgement of the third party support on the Nintendo Switch 2? Do you think it’s messier than we thought, or do you actually not mind the Game Key Card and Upgrade Pack inconsistencies? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below, and keep your eyes on GameLuster for more gaming news and analysis as we approach the Switch 2 launch!
