Nightdive CEO Slams Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Card Controversy

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Summary

  • Nintendo Switch 2 will introduce game-key cards that don’t contain game data but act as proof of purchase.
  • Nightdive Studios’ CEO criticized Nintendo’s lack of game preservation with the new Switch 2 system.
  • Many fans feel that Nintendo’s handling of physical media with the Switch 2 is a step back.

Stephen Kick, head of Nightdive Studios, recently expressed his views on the debatable card-based system for games on the potential Nintendo Switch 2. He is among several notable figures in the gaming industry voicing worries about the Nintendo Switch 2’s stance on physical media and its implications for future game archiving.

In the initial Switch 2 Direct presentation, Nintendo unveiled an innovative type of proprietary game storage called a Game-Key Card. Unlike the cartridges from the original Switch, these physical cards won’t hold the game data themselves. Instead, they serve as proof of purchase for certain games. Inserting one into the Switch 2 triggers downloading that game onto the console. This new system, however, has sparked concerns among many due to its potential drawbacks, raising questions about the strategic launch approach of the Switch 2.

In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Nightdive Studios CEO Stephen Kick expressed some disappointment about Nintendo’s decision to use game-key cards, stating it as somewhat discouraging. As these key card games will cease to exist when the Switch 2 eShop is closed, he suggested that a company of Nintendo’s size and historical significance should pay more attention to preservation.

Nightdive Studios’ History with Nintendo

As a gamer myself, I’ve had my fair share of conversations with Nintendo, and this isn’t the first one. You might remember that Nightdive Studios, where I admire their work, once shared about an unsuccessful pitch to modernize the N64’s iconic first-person shooter, GoldenEye 007. Despite their impressive portfolio of projects from the same era, their proposal to breathe new life into the James Bond classic was unfortunately rejected.

It’s not surprising that Kick is passionate about game preservation, considering Nightdive Studios’ development approach emphasizes preserving old games. Most of their projects are remasters, re-releases, or updated versions of titles that had been out of circulation for decades. This focus is also reflected in their logo, which symbolizes the discovery of treasures buried deep in time, as described on their official website. Despite some reservations about the Switch 2, several franchises that Nightdive has taken on have appeared on the original Nintendo Switch, including Quake, Turok, and the enduringly frightening I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream.

Nintendo aims to be open about its game-key cards, clearly mentioning which games do not contain actual data on their packaging. However, the way Nintendo handles physical media is often a point of criticism when discussing the upcoming Switch 2. Many collectors who appreciate gaming memorabilia share Stephen Kick’s sentiment that Nintendo’s approach represents a step back from previous practices.

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2025-05-02 05:14