Physical Game Key Cards might result from a deeper manufacturing issue, according to a new rumor that offers a potential explanation.

The rising prevalence of Game Key Cards on the Nintendo Switch 2 may stem from the company’s restricted cartridge options for third-party publishers. According to Physical Paradise, who admits the information could be incorrect—Nintendo currently offers just two cartridge types: a very small one and a full 64GB version, with little to nothing in between. Reportedly, manufacturing the 64GB card costs around $16, pushing publishers to favor cheaper alternatives like Game Key Cards.

Bravely Default Remaster, for example, is 11GB and comes as a Game Key Card. No Sleep for Kaname Date weighs 8.8GB on Switch with a regular release, but switches to a Game Key Card on the Switch 2. Even the 3GB Survival Kids gets this treatment, highlighting the lack of logic in the size-to-format relationship.

This may just be a temporary issue, but given Nintendo’s questionable decisions regarding the Switch 2 so far, it wouldn’t be surprising if this was intentional. Donkey Kong Bananza, at 10GB, might also be forced onto a 64GB cartridge if no smaller viable option is available—driving more users toward digital downloads.

It looks like Nintendo could be limiting cartridge variety on purpose, nudging consumers away from physical media—especially for premium-priced first-party titles. There’s speculation they’re treating internal and third-party releases differently. Oddly enough, they seem to be leaning toward extremes, avoiding more balanced options like 8GB or 32GB cards.

Meanwhile, leaks from Arc System Works suggest similar issues. Tamagotchi Plaza is fully contained on a cartridge despite being only 2.2GB and sold for under $70. This implies Game Key Cards may include built-in storage that developers can use creatively. Hopefully, Nintendo will soon resolve the issue and offer more cartridge sizes—especially since it affects their own bottom line.

Source: Reddit (1), Reddit (2)