Final Fantasy VII Remake Director Explains Switch 2 Cartridge Keys: It's About Speed, Not Savings
Naoki Hamaguchi, the game director for the highly anticipated Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, has shed light on the ongoing debate surrounding 'cartridge key' physical releases for the Nintendo Switch 2. This discussion gained traction following the announcement that the physical version of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, set to launch on January 22, 2026, will utilize this format.
For those unfamiliar, cartridge keys do not contain the full game data. Instead, they function as activation codes, allowing users to download the game through Nintendo's online store. This approach has sparked concern among fans, who worry about the long-term accessibility of their games should Nintendo's servers eventually go offline.
Hamaguchi acknowledged these concerns, stating that he understands players' worries. However, he emphasized that the decision to use cartridge keys is not driven by cost-saving measures for the cartridges themselves, but rather by performance considerations. He explained that loading game data from the Switch 2's internal SSD is significantly faster than reading from a physical cartridge. This speed, he noted, is crucial for modern games featuring high-quality assets and large data requirements.
"These are just my personal thoughts, but I hope, if possible, that Nintendo fans will understand the cartridge key format and perhaps embrace it as part of Switch gaming culture, because it offers more possibilities. This is just one option—no one is forcing everyone to use it—but it's another way to deliver games to fans. And without it, some might not be able to play at all. From a developer's perspective, it allows us to bring larger, more technologically advanced projects to the Switch, and I think that's a good thing."
– Naoki Hamaguchi
This perspective is echoed by Rob Bantin from Ubisoft, who recently provided a similar explanation for the Star Wars Outlaws Switch 2 release. Bantin previously stated that the open-world game's demanding data streaming requirements necessitated the cartridge key format to ensure optimal performance.
What does this mean for players? While the convenience of faster load times and the ability to bring more graphically intensive games to the Switch 2 is a clear benefit, players will need to weigh this against the potential concerns regarding game preservation and the necessity of an internet connection for initial installation. It highlights a continuing shift in how physical media functions in the modern gaming landscape, moving beyond simple plug-and-play to a hybrid model that leverages digital delivery for performance.
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