Do you despise the Game-Key Cards for the Switch 2? The director of Final Fantasy VII Remake hopes not — and he’s on a mission to change your mind. Naoki Hamaguchi envisions a future where these cards are widely accepted, claiming they “unlock more possibilities.”

The Game-Key Card format for Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 has stirred up fierce debates among gamers. Many critics argue that this system is partly to blame for the poor commercial performance of some third-party titles on the hybrid console — although not everyone agrees. Yet, some industry veterans are not only defending the format but actively encouraging players to embrace it. One of them is Naoki Hamaguchi, the creative mind behind Final Fantasy VII Remake.

So why all the controversy around Game-Key Cards? In essence, this distribution method offers a physical cartridge that doesn’t include the full game but instead acts as a key, unlocking a digital download on the console. It’s a solution designed to let third-party studios bring massive, resource-intensive titles to the Switch ecosystem — though many fans see it as a step backward.

Hamaguchi revisited the topic during an interview with JP Games (via Nintendo Everything), highlighting why developers see value in the format. “Yes, I’ve heard the reactions from many Nintendo fans about Game-Key Cards. I completely understand their point of view. I see why some players might dislike the idea — I really do. But within the developer community, the conversation about this format is quite different from what fans might assume.”

“Perhaps the most significant issue for us developers — especially those working on high-end HD titles — is loading speed. Compared to an SSD, it’s obviously slower,” he explained. Despite stressing that these are his personal opinions, Hamaguchi hopes players will eventually embrace Game-Key Cards “as part of the Switch gaming culture because they offer more possibilities. It’s not mandatory for everyone, but it’s an additional way to deliver our games to players — and we might miss valuable opportunities without it.”

Developers Push for More Distribution Options on Switch 2

The Game-Key Card debate isn’t limited to the player base — third-party developers are weighing in too. The only alternative Nintendo currently provides is a 64 GB cartridge, which is insufficient for many of today’s expansive games. A recent Bloomberg report revealed that a growing number of studios attending Tokyo Game Show 2025 are urging the Super Mario creators to offer more diverse ways to distribute content on the Switch 2.

Source: 3djuegos