CD Projekt Red Commits to Full Physical Release with Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 Cartridge

CD Projekt Red Sets New Standard With Fully Physical Cyberpunk 2077 Release on Nintendo Switch 2 Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition is making headlines within the Nintendo Switch 2 community—and for good reason.

As one of the most ambitious third-party ports to grace the platform, the open-world RPG from acclaimed developer CD Projekt Red is arriving with all its content accessible directly from the cartridge on launch day.

This stands out in an era where physical releases often come with partial content and mandatory downloads, especially for massive games like Cyberpunk 2077. A Complete Physical Release: No Downloads Required This bold approach to physical media was underscored by Jan Rosner, Vice President of Business Development at CD Projekt Red.

In an interview with Chris Dring for The Game Business, Rosner emphasized the importance of player experience when deciding to put the full game onto a Nintendo Switch 2 cartridge.

He explained, "We always try to view these choices from the perspective of players—something we learned significantly from the Switch platform." Rosner argued that eliminating the need for additional downloads preserves the convenience and immediacy of a plug-and-play experience, which remains highly valued among Nintendo fans. A Strong Stand Against Game-Key Cards Rosner addressed the current industry practice of ‘Game-Key Card’ releases—cases that merely contain a download code instead of a full physical copy.

He dismissed this compromise, stating, "It’s not about seeing what we can get away with.

Physical retail on Nintendo remains robust, and overall retail remains a vital part of the industry." CD Projekt Red’s commitment to a complete cartridge release aligns with their view that physical media is especially significant for the Nintendo audience.

"It just made sense to put it all on the cartridge—that was the right thing to do," Rosner stated plainly. Physical Media Remains Vital for Nintendo Switch 2 Amid ongoing industry discussion regarding the growth of digital distribution, edition sizes for Nintendo Switch 2 ports, and the proliferation of Game-Key Card bundles, CD Projekt Red stands out as a fierce champion for traditional physical media.

Rosner advised industry peers not to underestimate the ongoing importance of physical editions—particularly as the Nintendo Switch 2 approaches its launch window.

"Physical media is here to stay, and Nintendo players appreciate releases that are complete and thoughtfully produced," he added. Strong Partnership and Optimism About Nintendo’s Future The developer further affirmed its positive relationship with Nintendo, describing the company as an "excellent partner" and expressing intent to support future Nintendo hardware, including the Switch 2.

Reinforcing this enthusiasm, Cyberpunk 2077 recently featured in Nintendo’s Creator’s Voice video series, where CD Projekt Red noted that the Switch 2 offers the best handheld Cyberpunk experience available. With Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition’s launch date approaching, CD Projekt Red’s decision to deliver a full game on cartridge may set a precedent for other developers considering Nintendo Switch 2’s physical and retail future.

You can read Jan Rosner’s full interview with The Game Business for further insights on the evolving landscape of physical game editions on Nintendo platforms.

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