I've skipped the Switch 2 due to that, and that even physical media versions are just a download key
this post was submitted on 02 Jul 2025
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Same reason why I've decided to skip Switch 2, and I'll pirate the games 10 years from now.
If it's going to be digital anyways, fuck it, ya know? If I don't get a physical copy, why am I going to clutter my physical space with a case that does almost nothing?
Now imagine if NES, SNES, N64 games had been like this. If internet had been around in the 80s like it is now, do you think an SNES download cart would do anything today? I still have NES/SNES/N64 games. If the cart were a digital download, I'm sure the download links wouldn't work today. WiiU doesn't even work, and that was 10 years ago.
What you are describing existed! The Satellaview. You are correct, while some have been preserved, most of the games were lost to time.
I mean.....I guess. I wouldn't exactly call SatellaView the same thing as internet downloaded games.
My understanding is it was a Japan only thing, that you downloaded the actual game from local corner stores (like 7/11), and then dialed in for the "live" voice acting from random actors. So even though they'd be reading the same script, your experience would differ wildly, and the audio was about onpar with a telephone call being played out of your tv speakers.
And the reason it was Japan only is because as patchy as that sounds, it's still more advanced than what we had available in terms of connectivity in the USA at the time.
Your first statement is ironic because the SatellaView is literally internet downloaded games. It used satellite internet. You also didnt need anything other than the peripheral and the included software disk. It downloaded and stored the games locally.
That being said its not entirely related to the question of downloaded games on the switch 2. SatellaView games were all free. The service was free. You just paid for the peripheral. The games were a variety of stuff, some that were minor modifications of existing games, some that were basically leaderboard based challenges, and some that were actually pretty fully fleshed out titles based on existing franchises.
The voice acting bit youre remembering is true, but the games themselves were still downloaded via satellite and stored locally on the peripheral.
that you downloaded the actual game from local corner stores (like 7/11)
No, games were broadcast via satellite modem - hence the name.
The live radio dramas were only part of a few special event titles, but there was a lot more on the service, including standard downloads of both retail games and Satellaview exclusives.
Both the Satellaview and its competitor the Sega Meganet allowed for direct downloads. As did the US version Sega Channel.
that 7/11 thing existed but it wasn't the satellaview. it was a program they made to sell off older games for older consoles until 2006. The name of the program itself escapes me however.
There are still games that are complete on the kart like Cyberpunk 2077 and Mario Kart World.
A minority. And it's only going to get worse as time goes on. The digital only carts are cheaper for publishers, so you know that's what the majority will pick just because. The ones with the game on board also only come in a 64GB flavor (currently) so anything larger than that won't fit and would require a digital cartridge.
Nintendo clearly wants to transition to digital only for some reason, even though they're releasing some first party games on the carts still.
Nintendo clearly wants to transition to digital only for some reason, even though they're releasing some first party games on the carts still.
I keep seeing people say that, but I don't see any evidence of it. Nintendo (or at least the video game publishing division) seems to be the biggest proponent of "game on cart" releases. Even Limited Run Games is announcing that they will make Game Key Cards for many of their releases.
What do you mean? Nintendo decides what options are available for their console and how much they cost.
They could have made both card options cost the same. They could have more than just a 64GB option at different costs for larger or smaller games. They could have made it a requirement that the key carts are only able to be used if the game doesn't fit on the options with storage.
There's a lot of other options than just making the objectively inferior option significantly cheaper.
But it isn’t any different from what was happening on Switch 1. And only a few physical game releases are actually key cards.
Except this time around it's already looking like a minority of games are going to be on the carts. The blank key only cards are cheaper, so publishers are choosing solely because of that to maximize profits.
Previously on the original Switch the key carts were often games that didn't fit the onboard space.
There were no key cards on the original Switch, only some games (like Doom) that would only have some of the data on the cartdridge and some downloadable.
Well, on top of that the Switch 2 Cartridges come in one size, 64GB, and it's allegedly something like $14 USD per cart.
If your game is 20GB in size, why would you want to eat up that much of your profits on top of Nintendo's cut?
It's a tough choice to make. I won't support 'Game Key Cards' because that's stupid but I like to buy physical games because if I'm going to buy digital it'll be on PC.
Can I ask where the material difference is to a game that requires a Day 1 patch download to work? With a Game Key Card, that patch is simply very large. You can still sell the game, just like a standard cartridge. And the Switch cartridges never had infinite shelf life to begin with, so they're not suitable for archival either.
Single player games should work without a day one patch. Not necessarily perfectly, but they'll still work.
As much as everyone hates Nintendo, apparently, this means literally nothing for them. This does, however, make the used market a nightmare to deal with
It's crazy how aggressive those practices are. When I compare to Steam that are still fair over the years.
When I heard about the switch 2 drm and bricking I bought a 2nd hand refurbished switch lite and moded it to take roms.
Fuck Nintendo I'm never giving them money again.
Is there a guide you used to mod the switch lite?
"brick" on MAC address. But ok, no way Nintendo knows if your dump files to the MIG flash card are legitimately owned or not. Dont be surprised if this happens to you.
Should it happen? that is a different question.
I'm not interested in the switch 2 but why is this such a big deal. Don't pirate and you don't have anything to worry about
Banned consoles are getting returned and sold as used already to unsuspecting consumers.
It also brings other choices they've made this generation into question. Many games aren't actually on the cartridges, they require downloading them to play even if you have a physical cartridge. If the device is banned, you cannot access the eShop to download anything.
Literally every console since the 360 has been doing this. If you mod your system then dont take it online. you will get banned. This is not specific to nintendo
I mean I'm not sure if youre bei sarcastic or trolling.
But nevertheless excellent point imo.
Whenever I am arguing for drm free I am seen as if steam will never go down or americas diplomacy might never pose an issue. Then I am being downvoted to hell.
Then one could also argue exactly this. Play by the rules and you'll be fine. 😁🤷
Play by the rules and you'll be fine.
That's a bootlicker cope that has been proven time and time again to be wrong.
Plebs are yearning for the DRM to protect another man's fake property rights at his own expense and his own property.
Just to be clear: I know and agree. That's why I'm on the drm free side.