Nintendo Switch 2 Rumored to Get Smaller, Cheaper Game Cartridges

Maryanne · 发表于 2025-12-22 01:03:23

Indie retro game developer ININ Games said that Nintendo may soon be rolling out smaller Switch 2 cartridges, before promptly deleting the unconfirmed claim.
Smaller, Cheaper Cartridges Might Be Coming to the Switch 2.jpg

Smaller, Cheaper Cartridges Might Be Coming to the Switch 2.jpg

Nintendo Switch 2 could soon adopt smaller, more cost-effective game cartridges, if a now-deleted tweet from indie publisher ININ Games holds weight. The report adds to a growing chorus of rumors around the upcoming console’s physical media strategy, as the gaming giant remains tight-lipped on official details.

Earlier this week, Ars Technica flagged a post from retro and arcade game publisher ININ Games on X (formerly Twitter) claiming Nintendo had announced two new smaller cartridge sizes for the Switch 2 just two days prior. The indie studio noted the development would allow it to “recalculate production” for the physical release of its upcoming title R-Type Dimensions III on the Switch 2. ININ later removed the claim, issuing a follow-up clarification that “no official announcement or confirmation from Nintendo concerning future cartridge storage capacities” had been made.

Nintendo has not addressed the rumors publicly as of press time.

For context, the current Nintendo Switch exclusively offers physical games via cartridges with up to 64GB of storage—ample for sprawling open-world titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but overkill for the retro-focused games studios like ININ specialize in. Without smaller cartridge options, developers of such titles are forced to rely on Game-Key Cards: physical tokens that lack the full game and often require lengthy downloads, eating into the Switch’s limited internal storage.

Nintendo has never publicly disclosed the production costs of its Switch cartridges. But based on insights from ININ, Ars Technica estimates smaller cartridges could slash per-unit costs for publishers by $5 to $10 compared to larger, higher-capacity variants—a meaningful savings for developers eyeing physical releases for smaller-scale games.

The buzz around smaller Switch 2 cartridges isn’t new. Several Nintendo-focused social media accounts floated similar rumors in the days leading up to ININ’s now-deleted post. Adding fuel to the fire, industry analysts note rising RAM costs could further incentivize Nintendo to adopt smaller, cheaper cartridges.

As The Verge highlights, analysts like those at TrendForce warn RAM prices—already surging earlier this year—could climb even higher amid soaring demand for AI projects. That trend would make cost-saving measures like smaller cartridges all the more appealing for Nintendo.

A source with knowledge of the matter confirmed to [Publications Name] that smaller-capacity Switch 2 game cards are indeed in production. However, widespread availability will be delayed due to ongoing chip shortages. Even with reduced storage, the source noted the smaller cartridges will still carry a heftier price tag due to rising material costs—and Game-Key Cards will remain in circulation.

[数码] Nintendo Switch 2 Rumored to Get Smaller, Cheaper Game Cartridges

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