Marvelous USA Champions Physical ROM Releases on Nintendo Switch 2 Launch

Marvelous USA Champions Physical ROM Releases on Nintendo Switch 2 Launch In the build-up to the Nintendo Switch 2's highly anticipated debut on June 5, 2025, Marvelous USA has emerged as a frontrunner in supporting physical game releases for the new hardware.

As one of the few third-party publishers offering full physical editions on launch day, Marvelous USA/XSEED Games is set to deliver Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, while also preparing Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar and Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion for release later in the year.

Notably, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion’s physical launch is exclusive to Western markets, with Japan opting for a different distribution method. In a recent interview with RPG Site, Ken Berry, CEO and co-founder of Marvelous USA and XSEED Games, detailed the company’s commitment to physical ROM releases and the motivations behind this decision.

Berry explained that the choice aligned with both personal beliefs and a broader business philosophy.

"It's a mix of our own preferences and a long-term strategy," Berry remarked, emphasizing how both industry veterans and casual consumers can find it confusing or disappointing when physical game boxes offer only digital codes or when hardware omits disc drives altogether. Addressing this issue, Berry stated that Marvelous USA is acutely aware of their audience's wants: "We believe it's important for our fans to always receive a complete physical product, sparing them any regret or confusion when they open a retail game." This approach, Berry noted, is rooted in feedback the team has received from dedicated fans and newcomers alike, especially those buying gifts for others. The shift to full-physical releases, particularly for the forthcoming Rune Factory and Story of Seasons entries, was decided months prior as Marvelous weighed newer distribution formats like Game-Key Cards.

Berry clarified, "The more our team learned about alternative options, the clearer it became that our fans would strongly prefer the traditional ROM cartridge experience." The process was different for Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion, a title skipping the original Switch in favor of a Switch 2 exclusive physical release in the West.

Berry acknowledged the challenges, noting that Marvelous Japan is releasing the game as a Game-Key Card domestically.

Despite these hurdles, Marvelous USA successfully secured a full ROM edition for international audiences thanks to close coordination with their development counterparts in Japan. While Marvelous USA’s current lineup for Nintendo Switch 2 launches includes three high-profile physical titles, Berry cautioned that this policy might not extend to every future release, particularly for smaller projects and indie collaborations.

In Berry’s words, "Although we would like to see all our future Switch 2 titles released as full ROM cartridges, we can’t make absolute promises." For now, Marvelous USA/XSEED Games’ robust physical support of the Nintendo Switch 2 is drawing significant attention—both from loyal fans and industry observers—affirming the publisher's reputation for transparency and consumer focus as they usher in a new era for Nintendo hardware.

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