As we noted on the latest episode of the Nintendo Entertainment Podcast, there’s a lot of hate being unfairly given to the Nintendo Switch 2. People have heaped hate on the console’s price, the software prices, and even the “Game Key Card” feature that numerous third-party developers are using to get their games on the system. It was their choice, and it has a lot of merit on both sides of the equation, but some just straight-up hate it. To prove that this was indeed a choice by developers, you need only look at Cyberpunk 2077, which CD Projekt Red put fully on the cartridge without hesitation.
Jan Rosner, VP of business development, did a chat with The Game Business about what it was like bringing the game to the Nintendo Switch 2, and she pointed out that it “felt right” to just put the whole thing on the cartridge because the team felt gamers wanted it that way:
“It’s not a matter of getting away with something. Nintendo at physical retail is still strong, and retail is, in general, not going anywhere. I don’t think we’ll soon experience a reality where we’re just having all games digital. But again, it’s especially important for the Nintendo audience. We maybe could have got away with it, but is there a point? The right thing to do was to have it out on the cartridge with a plug and play experience.
Do not underestimate the physical edition. It’s not going anywhere and Nintendo players are very appreciative of physical editions that are done right.”
Indeed, it’ll be interesting to see how both the standard and ultimate versions of Cyberpunk 2077 perform on the Switch 2 when it and the system launch on June 5th.
