ININ Games seeks cartridge solution for R-Type on Switch 2 after pricing snag

There is a special kind of disappointment reserved for opening a physical game case, smelling the fresh plastic, and finding absolutely nothing inside but a piece of paper with a download code. It is the modern equivalent of finding a sewing kit in a Danish butter cookie tin.

This specific disappointment is currently looming over the upcoming release of R-Type Dimensions III for the Nintendo Switch 2. In a recent update, publisher ININ Games addressed fan concerns regarding the physical format of the game. The company revealed that the current plan involves releasing the game on a "key card" rather than a cartridge, a decision driven by manufacturing costs and rigid platform policies.

The High Cost of Next-Gen Plastic

According to the publisher, the economics of producing physical media for Nintendo's successor console are proving difficult. ININ Games stated that approximately 90% of the production run is intended for standard retail distribution with a target price of €39.99. Switching the entire production run to cartridges would force a price hike of at least €15, pushing the standard retail copy to roughly €55.

The obvious solution would be to print cartridges only for the expensive Collector's Editions while selling codes at retail. However, ININ revealed a specific technical constraint regarding the new hardware. "For Nintendo Switch 2 releases, all units of a product line must use the same physical format," the company wrote. This policy prevents publishers from splitting a single release into cartridge and code-in-box variations under the same product line.

Hope for Collectors

While the standard retail reality dictates the format, ININ acknowledges that selling a Collector's Edition without a disc or cartridge defeats the purpose of collecting. The publisher confirmed they are actively looking for a loophole or alternative production method to satisfy demand for the premium versions.

"We want you to know that we are continuing to explore ways to offer an alternative solution for the Special and Collectors Edition," ININ stated. "So there is still hope for a real cartridge. We are trying everything, believe us."

For preservationists, the distinction is vital. A download code is simply a rental agreement with an expiration date tied to server availability. A cartridge is a permanent artifact. As we move into the Switch 2 era, it appears the battle to keep physical games physical is going to get more expensive.

TLDR: A lot of the hate developers and publishers are getting about key carts are Nintendo's fault and could be fixed by Nintendo if they wished.