As discussions heat up around the Nintendo Switch 2’s game-key cards, the director of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Naoki Hamaguchi, stands firm in his beliefs. After Nintendo confirmed that these upcoming game cartridges will essentially serve as a physical “token” granting access to digital game downloads back in April, concerns have been raised by collectors, gamers, and media outlets regarding the future of game ownership and the blurring lines between physical and digital content.

During a recent interview with Wccftech, Hamaguchi expressed his support for the Switch 2’s strategy of using cartridges that only contain the necessary license key for downloading games. This is not the first time he has defended the contentious idea of game-key cards, especially with the impending release of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade for the Switch 2 in January.

Hamaguchi’s Perspective on Switch 2 Game-Key Card

Hamaguchi believes that the game-key card format offered by Nintendo could be a significant improvement, describing it as “a really amazing new idea that they had offered for us.” He highlights the potential of these cards to enhance the gaming experience by easing the loading process for larger titles. He notes, “From a developer’s perspective, [game-key cards] allow us to bring more high-end experiences to Switch players.”

Although he acknowledges the community’s concerns, Hamaguchi also points out that the technology behind these cards opens new avenues for delivering high-quality gameplay. He adds, “there are good reasons and debates to have there.”

As fans continue to express differing views on this matter, Hamaguchi’s insights shed light on the complexities in the debate over the future of gaming media and ownership.