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Everyone is making a big deal about this as if it’s something new, but this has essentially been a thing on switch 1 (and in other consoles) for a while now. The likes of Spyro trilogy or Batman Arkham trilogy only had a portion of the game on the the game card and you had to download the rest. At that point it’s essentially the same as these key card games. I don’t love it, but it’s hardly new.

They also sold ‘code in a box’ games before where it was just a digital download code in a box. I’m hoping that having a key card instead of just a download code means these games are at least shareable or sellable.

If anything, the only difference here is they’re being way more up front about it so at least it’s easy to identify and avoid these games if you disagree with the practice.

Are the games really going to be $80?

alienjesus wrote: ↑Thu Apr 03, 2025 7:28 am Everyone is making a big deal about this as if it’s something new, but this has essentially been a thing on switch 1 (and in other consoles) for a while now. The likes of Spyro trilogy or Batman Arkham trilogy only had a portion of the game on the the game card and you had to download the rest. At that point it’s essentially the same as these key card games. I don’t love it, but it’s hardly new.

They also sold ‘code in a box’ games before where it was just a digital download code in a box. I’m hoping that having a key card instead of just a download code means these games are at least shareable or sellable.

If anything, the only difference here is they’re being way more up front about it so at least it’s easy to identify and avoid these games if you disagree with the practice.

I agree, I mentioned the mandatory download and code in boxes in Switch 1. But I do understand people's fears. If Nintendo is producing specific cartridges for this purpose, then it surely makes the option even more easy and attractive to publishers, and realistically are they going to be used to pass on savings to the consumer or are they going to be used to increase profit margins? Call me cynical, but I expect the latter.

If they're the minority and used sparingly, or where developers have games that won't fit on a cartridge without costing them the earth, then I think most people get it, but if it becomes the norm, then I understand people making a big deal out of it.

But then digital is the future and I bet the next consoles are the last to use physical media (the PS6 probably won't even come with a disc drive and will go for the add on route), so it is what it is.

Reprise wrote: ↑Thu Apr 03, 2025 8:07 am But then digital is the future and I bet the next consoles are the last to use physical media (the PS6 probably won't even come with a disc drive and will go for the add on route), so it is what it is.

Newer PS5 models, like the pro and the slim already require additional purchase of an external drive if you want to play physical media. So we're very much already there.

And PC ditched physical media ages ago. Sony pushing the Blu Ray format for movies is the main thing that has kept it alive; while Blu Ray drives exist for PC absolutely no one got them and no games ever shipped on them.

Y’all are talking about Switch 2?

Damn! I’m so far behind, I’m still playing the Wii!

Welp, well preorders in America are delayed indefinitely. Guess we aren't allowed to discuss that too much though, due to the contentious political nature. But yeah, hopefully it manages to get sorted soon for those in America who want one and the prices don't get too much of an increase.

Wouldn’t be surprised if it goes to $475 or $500. Nintendo won’t eat the cost that’s for sure. They are real big on making a profit on consoles sold.

The physical games would go up in price. I’m using logic here but I don’t think digital game prices should go up.

If they raise prices too much, they won't sell in America. If they don't raise them though, they will lose money (and what company wants to lose money?) It's a lose-lose situation sadly.

Of course, people not buying them is what America (or your President at least) wants. That's the point of the policy, to push people towards buying American products. Economic protectionism always works soooo well and totally isn't going to trash the American economy and lead to a global recession (/s)

opa wrote: ↑Thu Apr 03, 2025 7:43 am Are the games really going to be $80?

Only certain first party games. $70 seem to be the "standard" price in general. Although with 24% (iirc) tariffs now implemented on Japanese goods and the game cards being manufactured in Japan, who knows?

Reprise wrote: ↑Fri Apr 04, 2025 3:20 pm Welp, well preorders in America are delayed indefinitely. Guess we aren't allowed to discuss that too much though, due to the contentious political nature. But yeah, hopefully it manages to get sorted soon for those in America who want one and the prices don't get too much of an increase.

They've said that the system's release date isn't changing (yet), so it's at least just preorders that are delayed. That said, all of their console manufacturing is done in Vietnam, and the Vietnamese president reached out to President Trump with an offer to remove all tariffs on American products, so hopefully he will reciprocate and end this uncertainty over Switch 2.