Nintendo has officially confirmed that Switch 2 Edition game cartridges contain both the original game and its upgrade on a single card.

Earlier confusion stemmed from conflicting customer service reports suggesting that Switch 2 Edition releases might not include the game itself.

However, Nintendo clarified to Vooks that this is incorrect, though they noted that some publishers might opt to sell Switch 2 Edition games as download codes inside physical cases without a game card.

Here is the official Nintendo statement:

“Physical Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games will include both the base Nintendo Switch game and its upgrade pack on the same cartridge. That means these are dedicated Switch 2 game cards—no download codes required. Alternatively, certain publishers may sell Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games as digital download codes packaged in a physical box, with no cartridge included.”

Switch 2 Edition games priced at $79.99 include Kirby and The Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star Crossed World, Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.

These Switch 2 Edition titles offer various improvements over their original Switch versions. For example, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom now support the Zelda Notes feature through the Nintendo Switch Online app, providing in-game assistance. They also feature achievements on the Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes

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Nintendo also recently confirmed that some new Switch 2 game cards will not always contain a full game; instead, they may only hold a download key.

Switch 2 game-key cards are physical products that include only a code to download the selected title. This means the inserted card holds no actual game data, requiring a full download once the card is used. Each game-key card package will be clearly labeled on the lower front of the box, so buyers can immediately know what type of product they are purchasing.

Titles such as Street Fighter 6 and the Bravely Default remaster carry this game-key card notice. Others, like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, do not. The data-heavy Cyberpunk 2077, which uses 64 GB on Nintendo Switch 2, is distributed on a physical cartridge.