Every Nintendo Switch 2 RPG Physical Release Complete on Cartridge – No Game Key Cards or Codes Needed
Ever since Nintendo fully revealed the Nintendo Switch 2 back in April, we've seen a plethora of physical and digital games announced for the system. For physical games, it looks like a majority of releases will use Nintendo's new Game Key Card physical release. There are a few publishers doing proper and full physical releases for their games, and given how much many of us including myself like owning RPGs physically, I've put together a list of the RPGs available as a complete physical release. For most of the games listed below, there might be minor patches like with any moern title, but the publishers have confirmed that the games will be fully playable from the cartridge.
RPGs on Nintendo Switch 2 available as complete physical releases on cartridge
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is a launch title for Nintendo Switch 2 arriving as a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition that includes the original Switch game and the Upgrade Pack. While the Switch 2 physical release is priced at $10 more than the other platforms, it is complete on cartridge and uses a 64GB Switch 2 cartridge. Read our Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma interview here and our preview here.
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
CD Projekt Red confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition will ship on a game card containing the full game and the Phantom Liberty expansion with no download required. CD Projekt Red is usually great about physical releases with bonus goodies like manuals, posters, or maps. It remains to be seen what we get for Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on Nintendo Switch. As of now, this is the only new Nintendo Switch 2 game that is shipping on a complete cartridge. After The Witcher 3 on Switch, it is good to see CD Projekt Red continue to ship proper physical releases.
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Marvelous USA confirmed that Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, like Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, will ship as a complete game on the cartridge and not a Game Key Card or download code in a box. Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Nintendo Switch 2 Edition also has a collector's edition available. The game itself is fully playable with the upgrade pack included on cartridge. Marvelous USA remains one of the very few publishers outside Nintendo to actually care about these things. Read our preview of Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar here and our interview here.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Nintendo Switch 2 Edition*
Nintendo sadly confirmed that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Nintendo Switch 2 Edition does not include the DLC, but it does include the game and the Upgrade Pack on cartridge. If you want everything, you will need to pay for the DLC assuming you don't own it already on Nintendo Switch. Given that we saw a physical release in Japan for Breath of the Wild that did have the DLC bundled with it, it is disappointing that Nintendo is not doing the same for this new retail release on Nintendo Switch 2. If you don't own Breath fo the Wild yet, you will need to spend $90 to get the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and DLC.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Edition*
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, like Breath of the Wild, is shipping on a physical cartridge that is priced $10 more than the Nintendo Switch version. The new Nintendo Switch 2 Edition includes the Nintendo Switch game and the Upgrade Pack. The upgrade pack for both Zelda titles includes Zelda notes, HDR support, improved resolution, frame rates, and more.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
The Pokemon Company just announced that Pokemon Legends: Z-A is getting a physical Nintendo Switch 2 Edition in addition to the Nintendo Switch version when the game launches on October 16 worldwide. This Nintendo Switch 2 Edition will include the game and the upgrade pack. You can find the box art here.
What is a Game Key Card for Nintendo Switch 2?
A Nintendo Switch 2 Game Key Card basically has the license or key on cartridge (not a code). Inserting this into a Nintendo Switch 2 will download the full game as an update from the internet. You cannot play these games without having downloaded the game data from the internet since they don't include the game data.
A Game Key Card release is not linked to your account so it can be resold, traded in, or given to friends. It is also likely that these releases end up cheaper than buying digital since they are available at retail. Yakuza 0 Director's Cut and Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army are shipping on Game Key Cards from Sega instead of full physical releases.
What is a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition physical release for Nintendo Switch 2?
Nintendo has a dedicated page for Nintendo Switch 2 Edition releases confirming that these include the Nintendo Switch game and the Upgrade Pack. Features for upgrade packs vary by the game, but we've had a few confirmed so far like Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, and Nintendo's own titles. Having an upgrade path to a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition does not mean a game will get a physical release so make sure you get accurate information if you care about owning a proper physical release rather than a code in a box or only a Game Key Card.
I will be updating this feature whenever we get confirmation of an upcoming RPG shipping on a full game cartridge.