On Friday, the well-known publisher specializing in retro and arcade experiences, ININ Games, made a startling and unanticipated declaration that drew considerable attention across the gaming community. The company revealed that it had successfully “recalculated production” to provide a fully physical edition of *R-Type Dimensions III* for Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 console. This production shift, according to ININ’s initial statement, was possible because, as of two days prior, Nintendo had reportedly announced the availability of two new, smaller cartridge sizes for the system. For many enthusiasts and developers, this mention carried enormous implications, as the nature of physical media on the Switch 2 has already been a polarizing subject. The cost of manufacturing physical games for the platform has been viewed as prohibitively expensive by many game creators, while the alternative format—known as the game-key card—has provoked criticism because it typically includes only digital download access rather than the complete game data embedded in the cartridge itself.
However, the situation evolved rapidly. Later the same day, ININ Games issued a major clarification and amendment to its earlier post, removing references to the smaller cartridge sizes entirely. In its revised statement, the company firmly acknowledged that no official communication or public confirmation had been made by Nintendo regarding any alteration or expansion of cartridge storage capacities. ININ emphasized that any prior reference to specific new cartridge sizes should not be construed as verified or official information originating from Nintendo. Despite the retraction of those specific details, the company affirmed that it would still proceed with releasing the physical Switch 2 version of *R-Type Dimensions III*. The only modification to that plan would be a slight cost adjustment, increasing the game’s retail price by an additional €10, presumably to offset production expenses associated with manufacturing a complete physical product.
When asked to comment on the unfolding situation, Nintendo did not immediately respond, leaving many to speculate about the broader realities surrounding physical game production for the forthcoming console. Reliable data on why more developers opt against offering fully on-cartridge versions of their games remain limited. Nonetheless, the most persistent explanation offered within industry circles continues to focus on the substantial manufacturing costs. Earlier this year—in May—a Brazilian journalist specializing in Nintendo coverage reported, citing information allegedly leaked from Arc System Works, that developers currently faced only two physical media options when producing Switch titles: a 64GB cartridge for full physical releases or the aforementioned game-key card for partial physical editions. The investigative YouTube channel Physical Paradise expanded upon this point, suggesting that the cost of a standard physical cartridge is approximately $16 per unit, a figure regarded by many as steep, especially compared with the costs associated with purely digital distribution.
Industry analysts have weighed in on the discussion as well. Responding to the initial buzz created by ININ Games’ announcement, Daniel Ahmad—a respected analyst at Niko Partners—remarked on platform X that the choice between issuing a game as a key card or as a fully featured cartridge has consistently revolved around one principal consideration: economic feasibility. In other words, cost has long been the decisive factor influencing developers’ format selections.
What remains uncertain is whether smaller or differently sized cartridges, should they eventually materialize, would meaningfully reduce expenses—or why Nintendo might now consider adopting such an approach. Joost van Dreunen, a professor of games business at New York University, offered a plausible theory suggesting that the motivation could be tied to the rising cost of memory components used in cartridge production. He proposed that Nintendo’s potential recalibration of its cartridge lineup might represent an anticipatory measure—essentially an effort to prepare for anticipated increases in memory pricing. Such foresight could enable the company to introduce new, more cost-effective cartridge tiers, ultimately helping reduce production costs for third-party developers and allowing Nintendo to maintain a balanced pricing strategy for physical releases across its expanding ecosystem.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/848462/nintendo-switch-2-smaller-cartridges-inin-games
