How to Install Final Fantasy VII Remake Switch 2 via Game Key Card
Game Key Card Is the Key to Bringing Final Fantasy VII Remake to Switch 2
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade has become one of the standout releases on Nintendo Switch 2. The game launched strong and quickly climbed sales charts. Players also praised its visuals and smooth frame rate, which feel close to a modern console experience.
However, many fans noticed one compromise. The physical version uses a Game Key Card instead of a traditional cartridge with full data onboard.
Why Square Enix Chose Game Key Cards
Naoki Hamaguchi, the project lead of the remake series, recently explained the decision.
According to him, Game Key Cards made the Switch 2 version possible. Standard game cards could not meet the performance needs of Final Fantasy VII Remake. The issue was not only storage size. Read and write speed also played a major role.
Performance Demands Exceed Standard Cartridges
Final Fantasy VII Remake does not simply load data once and display it. Instead, the game constantly reads and writes data during play.
Because of this, storage speed matters at all times. Hamaguchi explained that standard cartridges would deliver unsatisfactory performance. In contrast, Game Key Cards allow the game to run directly from the system storage after download. This method provides nearly double the speed.
As a result, gameplay stays stable even during heavy action scenes.
File Size Is Another Major Limitation
Storage capacity also affected the decision. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Switch 2 requires about 95GB of data.
Current cartridge options cannot hold the full game. Therefore, Square Enix had no realistic choice if it wanted to ship a physical version at all.
Game Key Cards solved both speed and capacity issues at once.
Ongoing Debate Around Ownership Concerns
Game Key Cards have raised concerns since their introduction. Many players worry about long-term access.
Because the card only verifies ownership, the game must download data before the first launch. If server support ever ends, access could disappear. Critics also argue that this approach lowers manufacturing costs.
Despite these concerns, Square Enix views the system as a necessary compromise.
About Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is a modern reimagining of the legendary JRPG. The game uses Unreal Engine 4 and rebuilds the world of Midgar with high detail.
Players follow Cloud and his allies as they fight Shinra. The Intergrade edition also includes Episode INTERmission, which focuses on Yuffie and expands the story.
The game is now available on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.
