Nintendo has confirmed that it has no plans to stop releasing physical games, emphasizing that consumer preferences remain central to its strategy for Nintendo Switch 2.

As the gaming industry continues debating the future of physical media, Nintendo has reaffirmed its commitment to offering both physical and digital games.

The statement comes amid reports that Sony plans to end physical PlayStation game production in January 2028, raising concerns among players who prefer owning boxed copies.

Nintendo Says Physical Games Are Here to Stay

In an interview with Coelho, Nintendo’s Latin America vice president and general manager, Bill van Zyll, explained that the company intends to maintain both distribution formats.

“There are no plans to ditch physical. We know how much the fans like it as well,” van Zyll confirmed.

He emphasized that Nintendo’s approach has historically been driven by consumer preferences rather than prioritizing one format over another.

With Nintendo Switch 2 having launched just over a year ago, the company sees no reason to abandon physical releases.

Nintendo Switch 2 Still Faces Game-Key Card Debate

Although Nintendo remains committed to physical games, the Nintendo Switch 2 has introduced a controversial distinction between traditional cartridges and game-key cards.

Unlike standard cartridges containing game data, game-key cards require players to download the game before playing.

This approach has attracted criticism from collectors and players who prefer fully playable physical copies without additional downloads.

Nintendo’s latest comments confirm that physical releases will continue, but they do not clarify whether the company intends to change its approach to game-key cards.

For now, Nintendo Switch 2 will continue supporting both physical and digital games, with the company emphasizing player choice.