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[LectureMaster]

Is Nintendo Increasing The Size Of Switch 2 Game Boxes?

Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 is larger than the original, and the console's physical game boxes might follow the same pattern.

www.forbes.com

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The Switch 2 rumor mill has been running on fumes since the official first look at Nintendo’s next-gen console, which is probably why we’re seeing more in the realm of pure speculation and gorgeous Switch 2 colorway mockups. But here’s a new rumor I wanted to touch on because it doesn’t seem too far-fetched for Nintendo, a company that has historically had a preposterous “game cartridge to box size ratio” since the DS launched.

The Switch 2’s tablet display will have at least a 33% larger footprint than its predecessor, and if a new claim from Universo Nintendo editor Felipe Lima is to be believed, the size of Switch 2 game boxes might be increasing to match.

On X (formerly Twitter), Lima shared that he unearthed box size dimensions for an unnamed Switch 2 game from Take-Two Interactive (parent company of Grand Theft Auto 6 developer Rockstar Games). The dimensions were taken from several temporarily published placeholder listings on French retailer FNAC’s website.

The alleged dimensions: 13cm wide and 19.5cm tall. That would make the size of a Switch 2 game box approximately 43% larger than original Switch game cases, which feels extreme.

 

[LectureMaster]

 

[KàIRóS]

Yeah the joke tells itself what would they need the extra size for? this has fake rumor written all over it.

 

[kazuyamishima]

Same size as the PS4/PS5 boxes?

Hahahah if true.

 

[lh032]

Yeah the joke tells itself what would they need the extra size for? this has fake rumor written all over it.

to protect the cartridge, like how you protect the potato chips in a LAYS bag.

 

[odhiex]

To be fair, they (Nintendo) might want to avoid the Grandmas/Grandpas buying their grandchildren the "wrong version" of Switch games lol.

 

[Johnny Concrete]

To be fair, they (Nintendo) might want to avoid the Grandmas/Grandpas buying their grandchildren the "wrong version" of Switch games lol.

I bet a bigger box won’t stop them from doing this though.

 

[DenchDeckard]

Why? To avoid miss sales....

Reduce the plastic size not increase it.

 

[Cakeboxer]

If there isn't a huge manual in it (and we know the answer), stupid decision and a waste of ressources.

 

[drganon]

 

[NomenNescio]

 

[Windle Poons]

Should be the size of 3DS cases or those Nokia Ngage cases.

 

[Robb]

That sucks though. I’d have hoped they’d get smaller. Current Switch cases are already waaay too big for what’s included.

 

[Magic Carpet]

That sucks though. I’d have hoped they’d get smaller. Current Switch cases are already waaay too big for what’s included.

Shrink it down so that it fits into onboard memory.
I think it's this new concept called 'Digital'
Now when the California fires come blowing your way, you don't lose your entire collection.

 

[Branded]

The cases will definitely not be BIGGER lol, especially in a time where companies are still incentivized by government to take green climate steps and more nonsense.

 

[V1LÆM]

What a joke. Should just get rid of physical games completely.

Waste of plastic and paper.

 

[Robb]

I think it's this new concept called 'Digital'

I’d never go digital on a Nintendo console.

 

[VolticArchangel]

Wouldn't that increase the cost to manufacture them?

 

[cormack12]

Wouldn't that increase the cost to manufacture them?

They recycle old VHS cases

Seriously this is dumb.

 

[Sebastian1295]

If they're going to increase the case size by that much then how about including manuals in the cases again instead of leaving all that wasted space in the case.

 

[BlackTron]

On the one hand it seems silly but then again maybe they want to help underscore that it's a new system (not Switch Pro, honest!) with new game cases.

And then again, seems silly but if they got smaller, they might worry the perception will be that Switch 2 games are "smaller" than Switch games. It could be a real consideration, as dumb as it sounds. The idea being that 2=bigger and better and to echo that in all the branding...but I could be reading too deep into it.

 

[cormack12]

If they're going to increase the case size by that much then how about including manuals in the cases again instead of leaving all that wasted space in the case.

That space is a representation of their open world.

 

[zeomax]

Wouldn't that increase the cost to manufacture them?

Probably it would save them money by using regular DVD/Bluray boxes and not some custom made sizes. It looks like it has the same size as the WiiU box.

 

[Oberstein]

Now it speaks to me.

A big, fat video game box. Yeah, that's American. Nintendo is talking to me. King size. Like the winners.

Spoiler

I'm European and I buy almost exclusively digital, so...

 

[jufonuk]

I read it as the game the want to highlight they made the case bigger. Seeing as switch 2 can play most switch games. Why worry about the case size ?

 

[DAHGAMING]

 

[RetroGamingUK]

What a joke. Should just get rid of physical games completely.

Waste of plastic and paper.

Yeah, let’s all pay full price for a licence to play the game instead.

 

[Varteras]

Nintendo saw a new niche forming in physical media and couldn't help themselves. Went ham trying to fill it in.

 

[hemo memo]

The bigger the better.

 

[Mr Hyde]

Price increase for the game itself is probably up 43% too.

 

[hemo memo]

Price increase for the game itself is probably up 43% too.

They have already stated that it will be on a game-by-game basis, right?

 

[Mr Hyde]

They have already stated that it will be on a game-by-game basis, right?

Wasn't that statement for original Switch games?

 

[Hookshot]

Shame if true, plastic is killing us all and we should use less of it.

 

[Zuzu]

What a waste of plastic. They should be the size of a CD case at most.

 

[MayauMiao]

I would prefer Nintendo reduce the box size to data cartridge case.

 

[hemo memo]

Wasn't that statement for original Switch games?

But Nintendo games rarely get discounts. It's a different situation from the rest. That $10 or so increase would hurt more than benefit them. Third-party publishers on Switch 2, though, are a different story.

 

[V1LÆM]

Yeah, let’s all pay full price for a licence to play the game instead.

you're just buying an unfinished game with missing content.

very few games actually release these days with everything on the disc/cartridge.

 

[cormack12]

 

[Davevil]

man, how I miss the era of manuals

 

[RetroGamingUK]

you're just buying an unfinished game with missing content.

very few games actually release these days with everything on the disc/cartridge.

Plenty of games (especially from Japanese publishers) ship the full game in physical form.

I never buy EA/Ubisoft trash anyway.

 

[RoadHazard]

Nooo, I like the little Switch boxes (which are already way larger than they need to be).

 

[RoadHazard]

you're just buying an unfinished game with missing content.

very few games actually release these days with everything on the disc/cartridge.

100% false, a myth. The vast majority of games are fully complete and playable on the disc. Sure, there will be patches with bug fixes etc that are not on the disc, but games requiring a download to play are rare.

DoesItPlay? - Home

Working to ensure games remain accessible now and always!

www.doesitplay.org

 

[cireza]

you're just buying an unfinished game with missing content.

very few games actually release these days with everything on the disc/cartridge.

Wrong. Especially on Nintendo Switch.

If people prefer physical, and even waiting for a later release date for a physical version, then more power to them. You don't need to take this away from them. Buy your AAA day-one digitally and download tenths of 50 GB patches, that's definitely great for the planet.

 

[KungFucius]

If there isn't a huge manual in it (and we know the answer), stupid decision and a waste of ressources.

The world needs more plastic. Seriously WTF Nintendo? Make them 1/2 the size and make them snap together so you can stack 2 next to a PS5 game.

 

[BlackTron]

The world needs more plastic. Seriously WTF Nintendo? Make them 1/2 the size and make them snap together so you can stack 2 next to a PS5 game.

If two Switch games equalled one blu day or DVD case it would do wonders for my OCD

 

[StereoVsn]

So with bigger box we are now getting inside cover art and full color manuals, right? Right?

 

[Robb]

So with bigger box we are now getting inside cover art and full color manuals, right? Right?

They better not stop with the inside cover art at least. It’s pretty slick.

 

[kruis]

If there isn't a huge manual in it (and we know the answer), stupid decision and a waste of ressources.

That waste of resources will probably be generously compensated with a $10 price hike.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

you're just buying an unfinished game with missing content.

very few games actually release these days with everything on the disc/cartridge.

All 1st party Nintendo games released on the Switch are fully playable from the cart without the need to install any updates. They also release new cart revisions when/if they add substantial new content (e.g. paid DLC) like they did with Mario Kart 8, BotW, Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, etc.

Btw, I always see you commenting this clueless stuff in most of the threads about physical games and people rightfully correct you, yet you still continue to parrot it. What's up with that?

 

[onQ123]

To be fair Audio CDs is the same dimensions as DVDs & Blu-ray but the case sizes are different.

Hell I remember PS1 games coming in the small cases but I don't remember seeing any small PlayStation cases after that.