CD Projekt Red has revealed that a striking 75.4% of Cyberpunk 2077 sales on Nintendo Switch 2 during its launch month were physical copies, a figure that stands in stark contrast to the industry’s growing reliance on digital distribution. This data, shared in the company’s latest financial report, underscores a powerful message: physical media still holds significant value, especially among Nintendo’s audience. The Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077 was one of the few third-party titles to be released on a full cartridge, rather than a game-key card that requires a separate download. That decision appears to have resonated deeply with consumers.
In an era where digital storefronts dominate and cloud gaming looms large, the success of Cyberpunk 2077’s physical release serves as a reminder of the importance of preservation. Physical media offers a tangible, self-contained product that can be archived, shared, and played without dependence on servers or future compatibility updates. For collectors and preservationists, it’s not just about nostalgia or anything like that, it’s about safeguarding access to games in the long term. When a game is released fully on cartridge, as Cyberpunk 2077 was, it becomes a permanent artifact, immune to the volatility of licensing agreements or the shutdown of digital platforms.
CD Projekt Red’s decision to prioritize a complete physical edition aligns with comments made earlier this year by Jan Roser, Vice President of Business Development, who emphasized that “Nintendo at physical retail is still strong” and that “retail is, in general, not going anywhere”. This philosophy reflects a growing awareness among developers that physical releases are not just viable, they’re essential for certain audiences. The Switch 2, with its hybrid nature and broad demographic appeal, may be uniquely positioned to support a resurgence in physical game distribution.
The broader implications of this sales split extend beyond Cyberpunk 2077. It challenges the assumption that digital is always more convenient or preferred, and it invites publishers to reconsider how they package and deliver their games. As debates around game preservation intensify, especially in light of digital only releases and the rise of game-key cards, CD Projekt’s success story offers a compelling counterpoint. It suggests that when given the choice, many players still value the permanence, reliability, and ownership that physical media provides.
Ultimately, the strong performance of Cyberpunk 2077’s physical edition on Switch 2 is more than a sales statistic, it’s a cultural signal. This clearly reflects a desire among gamers to hold onto something real, something lasting, in a medium that’s increasingly ephemeral. And as the industry continues to evolve, We should never forget that preservation isn’t just a niche concern, it’s a shared responsibility, and one that begins with how games are sold.
