Nintendo Says It Has No Plans to Abandon Physical Games

Nintendo has no plans to abandon physical game releases, according to Bill van Zyll, the company's vice president and general manager for Latin America. The executive said Nintendo continues to consider consumer preferences when deciding how to distribute its games.

Speaking to YouTube creator Coelho no Japão during Brasil Game Show 2026, van Zyll reaffirmed the company's support for physical media. His comments come as the gaming industry continues shifting toward digital distribution, raising questions about the future of physical games on Nintendo Switch 2.

Van Zyll explained that Nintendo does not favor physical or digital distribution exclusively. Instead, the company considers what customers want when making decisions about how its games are sold. "We go off what the consumer prefers," he said during the interview. He also pointed to Nintendo Switch 2, which supports both digital purchases and physical cartridges.

"There's no plans to ditch physical," van Zyll added, acknowledging that Nintendo understands how much its fans value the format.

Van Zyll also noted that physical games remain particularly popular in Brazil and across Latin America. While the balance between physical and digital sales varies by title and availability, he said consumers in these markets show a stronger preference for physical copies.

The statement confirms Nintendo's current position, but it does not establish a permanent commitment to physical media. Van Zyll did not announce a new distribution policy or guarantee that every future Nintendo game will receive a physical release.

Nintendo Switch 2 continues to support physical games, although not every boxed release contains the full game on its cartridge. The console uses both traditional game cards and game-key cards, which work differently.

Standard game cards contain game data and can generally be played directly after insertion. Game-key cards, however, act as physical keys that allow players to download the game. According to Nintendo's official support documentation, these cards require an internet connection and sufficient storage space for the initial download.

Once downloaded, games using game-key cards can be played offline without a constant internet connection. The card must still remain inserted whenever the game is launched.

The distinction between standard cartridges and game-key cards remains relevant to Nintendo's physical release strategy. Even Nintendo-published games can use the newer format. Pokémon Pokopia, released for Switch 2 in March 2026, is one example, with Nintendo confirming that its physical version requires a full game download.

Van Zyll's comments do not indicate that Nintendo plans to discontinue game-key cards or require publishers to distribute complete games on cartridges.

For Switch 2 owners who prefer collecting physical copies, Nintendo's statement confirms that the company intends to keep offering the format. However, buyers will still need to check whether individual releases use standard game cards or game-key cards, particularly if they want games that can be installed and played without an initial download.