Switch 2 May Introduce Smaller Game Cartridges to Cut Costs and Boost Physical Releases

New details suggest flexible cartridge sizes may finally make physical releases easier for indie developers and collectors

The upcoming Switch 2 could introduce a wider range of cartridge sizes, giving developers more flexibility than ever before. Up until now, physical releases have mostly depended on larger cartridges, with 64 GB being the go-to option for storing a full game. That works fine for big titles, but for smaller games, it’s often overkill—and expensive.

That’s where things have felt a bit off. Many indie games haven’t been able to justify the cost of those high-capacity cartridges. Instead, they’ve been released as “game key cards” that don’t actually contain the game itself. You pop them in, and they basically tell your console to download everything from the internet.

It works, sure—but it doesn’t quite hit the same as having the full game in your hands. And for collectors, it’s been a bit of a letdown. There’s always that lingering question: what happens if those servers disappear one day? Will those games vanish with them?

Now, things might be changing. The new reports hint that developers could soon choose from a range of cartridge sizes—possibly starting as low as 2 GB or 4 GB, and scaling up through 16 GB, 32 GB, and beyond. It’s a simple idea, but one that could make a huge difference.

Why? Because smaller cartridges would cost less to produce.

In the past, a 64 GB cartridge could reportedly cost somewhere between $15 and $20 per unit, for a full-priced blockbuster, which might be manageable. But for a smaller, lower-priced game, it eats into profits fast. It’s no surprise that many developers avoided full physical releases altogether.

If smaller cartridges bring that cost down—maybe even below $10—it suddenly opens the door. Developers could take a chance on physical editions without worrying as much about the financial hit. And players? They’d finally get more options beyond digital downloads.

There are already early signs of this shift.

One indie title is reportedly getting a proper physical release, complete with the full game on the cartridge. Not just that—it’s also coming with extras like a printed manual, collectible packaging, and even bonus items for special editions. It feels like a throwback in the best way.

Another interesting detail is that these cartridges are expected to work on the current Switch as well. So this isn’t just about the future—it could start benefiting players right away.

Behind all of this, there’s talk of a coding system that links cartridge types to their storage sizes. Each tier represents a different capacity, allowing developers to choose what actually fits their game instead of overpaying for unused space. It’s a practical change, but one that feels long overdue.

So what does this mean in the bigger picture?

For one, it could bring physical games back into the spotlight—especially for smaller titles that have been mostly digital until now. It also gives collectors a bit more confidence that the games they buy today will still be playable years from now.

And maybe, just maybe, it adds a bit of personality back into game collecting. There’s something special about holding a cartridge, flipping through a manual, or lining up boxes on a shelf. It’s not just about playing—it’s about keeping.

The real question is, if physical releases become easier and cheaper to produce, will more developers jump back in? Or has the industry already moved too far into the digital world to turn back?