Nightdive Studios CEO Calls Nintendo Switch 2’s Game Key Cards ‘Disheartening’ for Game Preservation
Stephen Kick, the CEO of Nightdive Studios, a team known for its expertise in revamping and adapting old games, has shared his thoughts on Nintendo’s new game cards for the Switch 2. As a leading figure in game preservation, Kick found the new “game key cards” introduced by Nintendo to be disappointing.
In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Kick described the idea as “disheartening.” Nintendo’s new approach to some Switch 2 games turns physical products into digital ones, while still keeping some features of physical media.
The “game key cards” are essentially physical games with a cartridge, but they require players to download most of the game digitally. The game is not fully present on the card itself.
Nintendo Joins the Digital Trend
This new format follows a growing market trend toward digital media. However, Kick expressed concern because Nintendo has traditionally supported physical media. With many classic games and intellectual properties under its belt, Kick believes Nintendo should take the preservation of these games more seriously.
“Seeing Nintendo do this is a little disheartening,” said Kick. “You would hope that a company that big, that has such a storied history, would take preservation a little more seriously.” According to Kick, this decision is a step backward for preserving games.
The problem lies in the need to tie the physical card to an online platform. If Nintendo decides to stop supporting this format in the future, the special game cards may no longer work for new activations.
As a team specializing in preserving older games, Nightdive Studios’ concerns are understandable. However, Kick acknowledges that other game producers face similar issues. Nintendo is simply the latest company to join this inevitable shift toward digital.
