Japan`s National Diet Library, recognized as one of the world`s largest libraries and holding an archive of over 9,600 video games, has made a decisive move against preserving Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Cards. The institution clarified that these game titles, presented in the Game-Key Card format, will not be accepted for preservation because the actual game data is not stored directly on the physical media itself.
In a statement reported by Automaton, following an interview with Famitsu, representatives from the National Diet Library articulated their reasoning: “a key card, on its own, does not qualify as content.” Consequently, they explained, such items fall outside the library`s established scope for collection and long-term preservation.
Essentially, Game-Key Cards serve as mere authentication tokens. When inserted into a console, they enable the user to download the complete game. While the game is installed, the card must remain in the system for the game to be playable, yet it can still be shared or resold independently. This format is widely adopted by numerous third-party publishers for their Switch 2 releases, with companies like Capcom even classifying these Game-Key Card titles as digital sales.
This approach has ignited considerable debate and concern among consumers, digital preservationists, and developers alike. A key worry is that the longevity of game ownership is intrinsically tied to a continuous internet connection and the operational status of Nintendo`s eShop and server infrastructure. Critics frequently point to Nintendo`s shutdown of the Wii U and 3DS eShops in March 2023, which effectively eliminated official avenues for purchasing titles on those platforms. Coincidentally, Nintendo recently issued a survey to its customers, inquiring about their preferences regarding physical game formats.
The National Diet Library, which functions similarly to the United States` Library of Congress, embarked on its journey of collecting physical video games in October 2000. Its expansive collection spans a diverse array of materials, including books, newspapers, music, and maps, accumulating to over 44 million items. This vast holding firmly positions it as the eighth-largest library globally.
It is pertinent to highlight that, despite possessing an extensive collection of digital resources such as e-books and magazines, the National Diet Library currently excludes any digital-only or exclusively online video games from its archives.