Cyberpunk 2077's Physical Sales Surge on Nintendo Switch 2

CD Projekt Red's recent financial report revealed that Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition achieved significant success on the Nintendo Switch 2, with 75.4% of its sales being physical copies during the launch month of June 2025. This contrasts sharply with the 24.6% of sales attributed to digital downloads. The game was released as a full cartridge, allowing players to access the entire game without requiring additional downloads, a notable distinction from many other third-party titles that utilized "game key cards."

CD Projekt Red's earnings report reveals that Cyberpunk 2077 saw 75.4% of Nintendo Switch 2 buyers opt for a physical copy

The gaming industry has seen a general trend towards digital sales, yet the strong performance of Cyberpunk 2077's physical edition highlights a persistent demand for tangible media among gamers. The decision by CD Projekt Red to produce a full cartridge, which contains approximately 60 GB of game data, stands in stark contrast to the game key cards that have drawn criticism for requiring additional downloads despite being marketed as physical products. This choice not only catered to consumer preferences but also addressed concerns about storage limitations on the Switch 2, which has 256 GB of internal storage.

Physical copies dominated Cyberpunk 2077 sales on Nintendo Switch 2 despite digital trends

The success of Cyberpunk 2077 on the Switch 2 may signal a shift in how publishers approach physical releases. Historically, Nintendo platforms have maintained stronger physical sales compared to competitors like PlayStation and Xbox, but the 75.4% figure for a third-party title is exceptional. CD Projekt Red's strategy of prioritizing a complete physical product may encourage other developers to reconsider their approach to game distribution, particularly in light of the backlash against game key cards.

CD Projekt Red's earnings report reveals that Cyberpunk 2077 saw 75.4% of Nintendo Switch 2 buyers opt for a physical copy

Michal Nowakowski, joint-CEO of CD Projekt Red, emphasized the importance of offering a complete product, stating, "Among the core aspects of our strategy is the ability to offer our products to a broad audience while retaining top quality." He noted that the physical retail market remains robust, particularly for Nintendo, reinforcing the company's decision to release Cyberpunk 2077 as a full cartridge.

CD Projekt Red's earnings report reveals that Cyberpunk 2077 saw 75.4% of Nintendo Switch 2 buyers opt for a physical copy

Despite the positive reception of Cyberpunk 2077's physical release, the broader industry continues to grapple with the implications of game key cards. Critics argue that these cards undermine game preservation and limit consumer access, as they require an internet connection for initial downloads. The gaming community has expressed disappointment over the prevalence of this model among third-party releases, which contrasts with the complete offerings from CD Projekt Red.

CD Projekt said ditching game-key cards for Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 was "the right thing to do," and it's apparently paid off because 75% of that version's sales were physical

As the gaming landscape evolves, the success of Cyberpunk 2077's physical edition may prompt a reevaluation of distribution strategies across the industry. Observers will be watching to see if other publishers follow CD Projekt Red's lead in prioritizing full physical releases, or if they continue to lean towards cost-saving measures that may not align with consumer preferences. The ongoing debate surrounding game key cards and physical media will likely shape future discussions in the gaming community.

CD Projekt said ditching game-key cards for Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 was "the right thing to do," and it's apparently paid off because 75% of that version's sales were physical