Defying Digital Norms: ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ on Nintendo Switch 2 Proves the Power of Physical Media

In a surprising and significant development that bucks the industry’s pervasive trend toward digital distribution, CD Projekt Red has revealed that over 75% of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition sales on the new Nintendo Switch 2 console were physical copies. This revelation, made during the company’s latest financial report, is a powerful statement about the enduring appeal of physical media and a clear vindication of the developer’s strategic decision to offer the full game on a proper cartridge.

The sales data indicates that 75.4% of the game’s sales on the Switch 2 were physical, with only 24.6% coming from digital downloads. This split is particularly noteworthy given that a 2024 report by GamesIndustry.biz found that just 25% of all new games sold in Europe were physical, and even for the original Switch, the physical share was around 65%. The overwhelming preference for a physical cartridge for Cyberpunk 2077 is a stark contrast to the rest of the industry and a direct result of a major controversy surrounding the Switch 2’s launch.

The majority of third-party publishers on the Switch 2 have opted for “Game-Key Cards,” which are essentially physical cases containing a download code and requiring a full digital download of the game. This approach has drawn significant backlash from collectors and consumers who value the convenience and permanence of a game on a cartridge. By choosing to release a full-fledged 64GB cartridge that contains the entire game, including the massive Phantom Liberty expansion, CD Projekt Red offered a product that directly addressed a key consumer pain point. This decision has paid off handsomely, turning Cyberpunk 2077 into a standout success on the new platform.

The Value Proposition: What a Full Cartridge Means for Gamers

The success of the physical version of Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 highlights several key factors about the modern gaming market. Firstly, it demonstrates that a large segment of the audience, particularly on Nintendo platforms, still deeply values the ownership and collectibility of physical media. For these consumers, a cartridge isn’t just a container for a download; it’s a tangible piece of art, a form of long-term preservation that is immune to the whims of online stores and server shutdowns.

Furthermore, the physical release offers a “plug and play” experience that has become increasingly rare in the digital-first era. By including the full game and expansion on a single cartridge, CD Projekt Red eliminated the need for a massive day-one download, a major inconvenience for many players with limited internet access or data caps. This simple act of consumer-friendly design has been rewarded with overwhelming market support, proving that players are willing to pay for a complete, hassle-free experience.

The strong performance of Cyberpunk 2077 also puts pressure on other major developers and publishers to reconsider their digital-only strategies. The controversy surrounding the Switch 2’s Game-Key Cards shows that this business model is not universally accepted and may even be costing companies a significant portion of their potential sales. The success of CD Projekt Red’s gamble provides a compelling business case for investing in a proper physical release, even if it comes with a higher initial cost.

A Bright Future for Physical Media?

While digital sales continue to dominate the broader gaming industry, the remarkable success of Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 is a beacon for the physical media market. It proves that when developers and publishers offer a quality, complete product that respects the consumer, the audience will respond with their wallets. This case study may well influence future decisions from studios looking to enter the Nintendo ecosystem and could potentially trigger a shift back towards more robust physical offerings on other platforms as well.

For CD Projekt Red, the sales figures are not just a one-off win. They underscore the company’s reputation for listening to its community and delivering a polished product, a core part of its brand identity. As Cyberpunk 2077 continues to sell well on the new console, its success will serve as a powerful reminder that while digital is convenient, nothing quite replaces the feeling of owning a physical game. In a world where digital ownership can feel fleeting, the game’s physical sales prove that tangible media is a currency that still holds immense value for millions of gamers around the globe.