Why Video Game Cards?

There still remains the question of Why does Nintendo transition digital purchases to Video Game Cards? It seems to be a nice feature, with almost no downsides, right?

I think the answer is pretty simple:

Digital Only Switch consoles

With Video Game Cards, it is very easy to share digital purchases between consoles. It removes the big downside of digital purchases compared to physical game cards.

The only big other benefit of physical game cards is selling a game, which is currently not possible with digital games.

So now, that sharing is made easier between your own consoles and even with family members, it raises the question, why not go All-in with digital games.

And that’s where Nintendo will introduce a cheaper digital-only Switch or Switch 2. It could be a new Switch (2) Lite, much thinner or even a completely new form-factor without card slot.

Are we there, yet?

Microsoft and Sony already offer cheaper versions of their consoles that are digital only. However, the audience of Nintendo is a bit different, much younger. I am not sure if that audience is ready for a digital only Nintendo Switch. On the other side, we are now used to digital only games on our iPhones, so why not consoles?

The difference is that each new iPhone can run all games, that were running on your previous iPhone. And I think Nintendo wants to go that route with Nintendo Switch as well.

I am not sure if we already reached the point, where Nintendo could release a digital only console in 2025, but I could imagine them releasing one in the near future.