Nintendo has confirmed that Switch 2 physical games aren’t going anywhere, even as rivals edge toward an all-digital future. Bill van Zyll, Nintendo’s Vice President and General Manager for Latin America, told a Brazilian YouTube channel that the company has no intention of dropping cartridges for its latest console, citing how much fans still value owning a physical copy.
Key takeaways
- ✓Nintendo VP Bill van Zyll says there are no plans to drop Switch 2 physical games
- ✓Comments came at Brasil Game Show 2026 in an interview with Coelho no Japão
- ✓Sony will end new PlayStation disc production in January 2028
- ✓61.5% of Nintendo's software sales were digital in the April to June quarter
- ✓Nintendo has priced digital Switch 2 exclusives below physical versions since May
Van Zyll made the comments at Brasil Game Show 2026 in an interview with the channel Coelho no Japão, as first reported by Videocardz. Asked directly about the future of discs and cartridges on Nintendo’s newest hardware, he kept the answer simple: “There’s no plans to ditch physical. We know how much the fans like it as well.” He added that Nintendo takes its cue from what customers actually want, and the Switch 2 is built to support both physical and digital releases side by side.
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Why Nintendo is drawing a line in the sand on Switch 2 physical games
The timing of the statement matters. Nintendo is making this commitment to Switch 2 physical games just months after Sony confirmed a very different path for PlayStation. In July, Sony announced that disc production for new PlayStation games will stop entirely in January 2028, with existing releases unaffected but no new titles getting a physical run after that cutoff.
That decision landed badly with a large chunk of the PlayStation community, and the backlash wasn’t purely sentimental. Data compiled by Alinea Analytics later showed that physical discs still generate a meaningful share of revenue for some of PlayStation’s biggest exclusive titles, undercutting the idea that digital sales alone could comfortably replace them. Nintendo appears to be using that same lesson, particularly in markets like Brazil and the wider Latin American region, where van Zyll says physical media remains especially popular.
Digital sales are still climbing for Nintendo, regardless
None of this means Nintendo is ignoring the shift toward downloads. The company’s own financial figures show that 61.5 percent of its software sales came from digital purchases in the April to June quarter, a clear majority. Nintendo has also been nudging players toward digital storefronts in a more direct way: since May, first-party digital editions of Switch 2 exclusives have been priced lower than their boxed counterparts.
Those two facts sit somewhat in tension with van Zyll’s reassurance, and that’s worth acknowledging rather than glossing over. Nintendo isn’t pretending digital distribution is shrinking. Instead, the company seems to be betting it can grow digital revenue while still keeping cartridges on shelves for the customers who want them, a middle path that Sony has decided isn’t worth maintaining past 2028.
What it means for Switch 2 owners and collectors
For anyone who has built a shelf of boxed games or who simply prefers lending, reselling, or trading titles, the news is straightforward good news. Switch 2 physical games aren’t being phased out on any announced timeline, and Nintendo’s public comments suggest that decision is tied to genuine customer research rather than a short-term marketing line. Shoppers in Brazil and across Latin America, where van Zyll’s remarks were specifically aimed, have particular reason to feel reassured given how strongly physical formats perform in that region.
It’s also worth remembering how physical Switch 2 releases actually work in practice. Not every boxed title on the console contains the full game on the cartridge, with some publishers instead shipping Nintendo Game-Key Cards, which require a download to play despite coming in a physical case. That distinction matters for buyers who assume every cartridge works offline straight out of the box, and it’s a nuance that’s easy to miss amid the broader physical-versus-digital debate.
Looking ahead, the physical format’s survival will likely depend on how well it keeps pace with upcoming Switch 2 releases and whether third-party publishers keep supporting cartridges at the same rate as Nintendo’s own titles. Players managing multiple consoles at home, including those interested in setting up multiple Switch consoles for local play, will also want physical copies to remain viable for sharing games between systems. For now, Nintendo’s message is clear enough: cartridges stay, even as the digital share of the business keeps growing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nintendo dropping physical games for the Switch 2?
No. Nintendo VP Bill van Zyll said in October 2026 that the company has no plans to abandon physical Switch 2 games, citing strong fan demand for the format.
Why is this different from Sony’s approach?
Sony confirmed in July 2026 that it will stop producing discs for new PlayStation games from January 2028 onward, while Nintendo has made no such commitment for Switch 2 cartridges.
Are all physical Switch 2 games complete on the cartridge?
Not always. Some boxed releases use Nintendo Game-Key Cards, which still require a download before the game can be played, despite coming in physical packaging.
Is Nintendo pushing players toward digital purchases anyway?
To some extent. Since May 2026, Nintendo has priced digital versions of its first-party Switch 2 exclusives below their physical counterparts, and 61.5 percent of its software sales in the April to June quarter were digital.
