Some games for the Switch 2 can only be purchased as a download code. A developer explains the reason behind this: The game cards of the Switch 2 are simply too slow for large, extensive games.
Those who purchased games for the Switch 2 in stores will have noticed more often that these no longer contain the entire game, but often just a download code. You have to download the game directly from the eShop.
This causes dissatisfaction among collectors and fans of physical media, but it is necessary due to technical limitations, a Ubisoft developer recently explained. This was reported by the English-speaking magazine ArsTechnica.
The official “game cards” have too low a data transfer rate
Rob Bantin, “Snowdrop Audio Architect” at Ubisoft, explained that some games for the Switch 2 are not available as traditional physical cartridges, but only via download or so-called game key cards: You buy a case in the store, but inside is just a piece of paper with a code for the game.
Rob Bantin explained on BlueSky that the game cards of the Switch 2 have a problem: they have too low a data transfer rate to meet the technical requirements of the game. Since Star Wars Outlaws relies on large amounts of data and is particularly designed for fast streaming of large game worlds, the gaming experience on a traditional cartridge would have been affected by longer loading times. Bantin said:
Snowdrop [an engine from Ubisoft] relies heavily on disk streaming for its open-world environments, and we found that the Switch 2 cards simply did not deliver the performance we needed for our quality goal. I cannot recall that the cost of the cards was ever mentioned – probably because it was irrelevant.
He added that it might have been different if they had developed the game directly for the Switch 2 rather than just porting it to the new platform. From this perspective, he believes the right decision was made (via BlueSky.app):
I think if we had developed a game from the ground up for Switch 2, it might have been different. As it was, we developed a game around the SSDs of the original target platforms, and then Switch 2 came along a while later. In this case, I think our leaders made the right decision.
How fast is the Switch 2 anyway?
- The maximum data rate of the Switch 2 cartridges is around 400 MB/s, which is significantly lower than that of SSDs, and not sufficient to ensure the desired quality of the open-world game.
- The “MicroSD Express” memory cards of the Switch 2 are somewhat faster than the new cartridges (over 800 MB/s).
- In comparison, internal SSDs remain significantly faster: Sony recommends an M.2 SSD for the PS5 with a read speed of 5,500 MB/s or faster. The internal SSD of the Xbox Series X is somewhat slower, but still delivers 2,400 MB/s.
Star Wars: Outlaws would have easily fit on a memory card with its around 20 GB, but the read speed would have caused problems.
The Nintendo Switch is considered a popular handheld console due to its lightweight and slim design, which makes it easy to take on vacation. But a player recently had bad luck on their trip with the Switch: Player takes Switch on airplane to survive 9-hour flight, but a new feature from Nintendo spoils their plans
