Publisher’s Slip-Up Hints at Smaller Switch 2 Carts
• ININ Games briefly claimed Nintendo introduced “two new smaller cartridge sizes” for Switch 2, then removed the claim and issued a correction. • Nintendo has not confirmed any new Switch 2 cartridge capacities; developers still report high cartridge costs. • ININ will still release a physical Switch 2 version of R‑Type Dimensions III, adding €10 to the price.
What happened
ININ Games, a retro and arcade publisher, posted that Nintendo had announced “two new smaller cartridge sizes for Nintendo Switch 2.” The publisher said the change let it “recalculate production” and move forward with a physical release of R‑Type Dimensions III.
Within hours ININ removed the line and posted a correction: there has been no official confirmation from Nintendo about cartridge storage capacities. The company confirmed it will still sell the Switch 2 physical edition, but with a €10 price increase.
ININ’s correction and the facts
ININ’s update explicitly warned that any reference to specific storage sizes should not be treated as official. Nintendo did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.
The quick reversal highlights how little verified public information exists about Switch 2 physical formats and pricing.
Why cartridge sizes matter
Physical cartridges for the Switch 2 are a contentious industry topic because many full games are large and on‑cartridge production is reportedly expensive. Some studios ship gameKey cards that only unlock downloads rather than include the full game.
Reports and leaks — including an account tied to Arc System Works — have suggested Nintendo’s initial developer options were limited to a 64GB cartridge and a game‑key card option. That makes smaller, lower‑capacity cartridge tiers potentially useful for mid‑sized titles.
Cost and industry context
Physical Paradise, a YouTube channel focused on retro and physical releases, estimated per‑cart costs near $16 — a price point that can make on‑cart releases uneconomical for some publishers.
Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad echoed that cost is the primary factor driving key‑card versus full‑cart decisions. NYU games professor Joost van Dreunen suggested manufacturers might adjust cartridge offerings in anticipation of changing memory prices, which could affect retail pricing for third‑party games.
Developer impact and next steps
If Nintendo does introduce smaller cartridge sizes, it could lower costs for some third‑party physical releases and change how publishers price boxed editions. For now, however, there is no official confirmation.
Publishers, analysts, and players will likely watch Nintendo’s developer communications and future partner announcements for firm details on cartridge capacities and costs.
