Cyberpunk 2077 for Switch 2 Is Fully Playable Straight from the Cartridge

When Cyberpunk 2077 arrives on the Nintendo Switch 2 this June, it’ll stand out in a big way. Unlike most third-party games that require players to download large portions of the game, even if they bought the physical version, Cyberpunk 2077 will be completely playable straight from the cartridge. No downloads. No waiting. Just plug in and play.

That decision was no accident. Jan Rosner, CD Projekt Red’s VP of business development, shared some insight on why they chose to go this route, even when many other studios are opting for download-required "game-key" cards. For CD Projekt Red, it was about doing what feels right for the players, and sticking to their belief in the value of physical media.

This isn't the first time the company has taken this approach. Back when The Witcher 3 came to the original Nintendo Switch, CD Projekt Red made sure the full game fit on the cartridge too. That experience shaped how they handled Cyberpunk 2077 for the new console.

Rosner explained that players appreciated the convenience of being able to play immediately without needing extra downloads or storage solutions. Especially on the original Switch, where limited internal storage made massive games tough to manage without external memory cards. CD Projekt Red saw that players responded well to plug-and-play experiences, and they wanted to continue that tradition.

Even though it might have been easier or cheaper to release a physical box with just a game key, CD Projekt Red decided not to cut corners. Rosner made it clear that they still believe in physical game releases and recognize their lasting importance, especially for Nintendo fans who often prefer having full games on cartridges.

With Cyberpunk 2077 launching on Switch 2 this June 5, players can look forward to diving into Night City the moment they pop in the cartridge, no downloads needed.

(via The Game Business)