Nintendo Switch 2 game-key cards won’t be accepted for preservation by Japan’s national library

Nintendo Switch 2 game-key cards are back in the news as they’ve essentially been denied entry into the National Diet Library.

Otherwise known as the NDL, this is Japan’s national library. However, due to the nature of this specific physical media, game-key cards cannot be accepted for preservation.

PR for NDL told Famitsu in an interview:

“Because the target is ‘physical media that contains the content in the software itself,’ a key card alone would not be recognized as content, and the National Diet Library would determine that it is ‘not subject to collection or preservation.'”

In other words, NDL is taking issue with the fact that game-key cards are not true physical media. While they are cartridges, there’s pretty much nothing included. The game still needs to be downloaded from the internet initially in order to function.

Most physical titles on Nintendo Switch 2 thus far are game-key cards, but there are some exceptions. We have a running list here. We also just found out that Yooka-Replaylee will be a true physical release on Nintendo Switch 2, much to the delight of fans.

Thanks to Greatsong1 for the tip.