Since the launch of the Switch 2, controversy surrounding "Game-Key Cards" has never ceased. These new physical cartridges contain no game data; players must still download the full game after inserting the card into the console. Many players have questioned whether this can truly be considered a physical edition. Whenever a game announces a physical release for the Switch 2, the gaming community's first reaction is always to ask whether it will be a traditional cartridge or a Game-Key Card.
The wave of online boycotts appeared swift and clear, but has this sentiment truly resulted in a gap in sales? Kenzo Sohashi, president of Nippon Ichi Software, offered his observations.
In an interview with RPG Site, Kenzo Sohashi was asked about the sales difference between his company's games in traditional cartridge and key card physical formats. He clearly responded that, based on current data, there is no difference in sales volume between the two.
This statement undoubtedly provides an interesting data perspective on the months-long controversy—the fierce opposition online does not seem to have translated into actual purchasing behavior. Of course, this is limited to the case of Nippon Ichi Software alone, and the situation with other publishers remains unknown.