Nintendo has “no plans” to ditch physical media

The future of physical media in the video games industry has been in-flux ever since Sony announced that it would be halting the production of physical game discs come the start of 2028. Despite taking some unfortunate steps away from the medium with its Switch 2 generation, Nintendo appears to remain committed to physical media because “we know how much the fans like it.”

Taking part in an interview with Switch YouTuber Coelho, the VP and general manager for Nintendo in Latin America ‘Bill van Zyll’ was asked about the current industry shift. According to Zyll (as translated by NintendoEverything):

“Historically, we’ve been very agnostic, right? We go off what the consumer prefers, and take that into account very heavily. We also have a platform that was just launched. We’re barely just over a year into NS2. It’s got both digital and physical – that capability. There’s no plans to ditch physical. We know how much the fans like it as well, so our position has been to be agnostic.”

As mentioned, Nintendo has had its own controversy when it comes to physical media, with the Switch 2 offering what Nintendo calls Game-Key Cards – aka a physical cartridge which includes little more than a licence allowing you to download the game onto your Switch 2.

That said, even GKCs are preferable to an all-digital future, with owners of the Switch 2 cart still being able to sell their copy or lend it to a friend. Either way, of all three major console manufacturers, Nintendo was always going to be the last to ditch physical media. Even so, it is encouraging to hear it straight from the horse’s mouth.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the current move towards an all-digital future? Do you have any issues with Game-Key Cards? Will the Switch 3 still support physical games? Let us know down below.

Become a Patron!