Nintendo has shared a few images of Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Cards.

Game-Key Cards are a new type of cartridge that contain a license key to download the game tied to it. The game isn’t stored in the cartridge. Once you insert a Game-Key Card into your Nintendo Switch 2, you will be able to download the game onto your system.

On the other hand, Game Cards, which are used on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, contain the full game, meaning the game can be played out of the box.

Unlike code-in-a-box releases, Game-Key Cards allow the user to resell the Game-Key card to another person, as they will be able to download and play the game on their system. That isn’t possible with digital codes, as they are redeemable once.

Aside from the description on the packaging, the easiest way to distinguish a Game-Key Card from a Game Card is by looking for a key icon. This key icon is present on Game-Key Cards, and is absent on Game Cards:

When a Game-Key Card is inserted, a system message will prompt the user to download the software:

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.