Summary
- Nintendo’s Game Key Card technology allows games to be released physically, while requiring an online download.
- The publisher behind the upcoming Rune Factory: Guardians Of Azuma, however, has promised a full ROM release.
- This choice demonstrates the publisher’s commitment to physical media and providing the best possible experience for consumers.
It’s a sad fact that, alongside the release of the Switch 2, lovers of physical gaming media are getting a punch to the gut, as Nintendo’s new Game Key Card technology allows developers to have a physical cartridge while forcing consumers to download games off the internet.
Additionally, there is a small loophole that allows all games, regardless of whether they are only a few GB or exceed the 64GB limit for physical cartridges, to save a bit of money by using digital Game Key Cards. Currently, it appears that a majority of third-party titles are adopting this approach.
Related
PlayStation Plus Members Need To Mark June 17, As Games Are Leaving But A Major Title Will Be Added
One big day-one release is dropping on June 17, and it’s from an award-winning studio.
However, a few developers with a love of physical media have taken a stand by promising full games available on physical cartridges. Switch 2 ports, such as Cyberpunk 2077 by CD Projekt Red, have promised a fully optimized, ROM-included physical release for Switch 2.
Publisher Ken Berry, the CEO of Marvelous USA, which is publishing the Switch 2 release of Rune Factory: Guardians Of Azuma, has explained in a recent interview with rpgsite.net that the decision to avoid Key Cards ultimately comes from their devotion to physical media.
Ken Berry first described his fondness for physical media, even explaining in the interview how he “didn’t purchase a PS5 Pro until I could secure the disc drive add-on first.” This consumer-first approach is exactly what’s behind the mindset of their physical release, as he explains:
It was not an easy decision as it had to be made many months ago when things were very uncertain and we were still learning about how the Game Key Card option worked, but the more we found out about it the more I thought our fans would much prefer the ROM option.
Overall, most fans seem to prefer the ROM option for the cartridge, which allows the entire game to be stored on the cartridge itself, rather than the Key Card that many other third-party developers are using.
Even though all first-party Nintendo games will be full ROM releases, it’s still disappointing to know that most third-party developers are opting for the other option, especially considering what will happen once all of the servers from which we download the games go offline.
Related
Former Private Division Games Return To Steam After Delisting, But Under New Publisher Name
After a few months being delisted from Steam, former Private Division games Rollerdrome and OlliOlli World have marked their return to the platform.
Additionally, opting for this option also allows the game to be classified as the “Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced” edition, meaning it’ll also be playable on the original Switch, which is a significant benefit for consumers.
When mentioning previous releases, the Marvelous USA publishers have been known to include trinkets such as fan books, manuals, and printed inserts. As Berry expresses, “bringing extra value to our physical releases has always been ingrained in our DNA.”
In this day and age, it’s a treasure to see a developer genuine enough to prioritize the quality of their product for fans, even if it ultimately means losing money in the long run.
If you’re interested in hearing about the story behind other releases by Marvelous USA, we highly recommend the full interview. Otherwise, Rune Factory: Guardians Of Azuma is expected to release alongside the Switch 2 next month.
