Pokémon Pokopia for the Nintendo Switch 2 is set to release on March 5th, 2026 along with a new photo mode and a GameShare feature that allows sharing the game with friends who have no gaming console. Though, the game was criticized after the announcement regarding its high price tag of $70 and the distribution method wherein a ‘game key card’ would be issued instead of a full physical cartridge.
The stage is set now. Nintendo has prepared a cute tweet for its fans, and when the peach emoji with the crying-out-loud smirk pops up, it means Nintendo has something that sweetened the situation. Then the company announces the game that will be a part of the Pokémon series, which allows the users to exchange pictures with their friends, build and discover together from scratch. GameShare is a very clever little feature, for sure. It allows you to try out the game with your friend and see whether they will want to buy it or not. This kind of announcement could be considered a nice and friendly one if it were viewed from the side of positivity.
But the internet is there to oppose the good vibes. There is no way the internet ever exists in a vacuum, so the response… was not very pleasant either. To put it mildly, it was even a tsunami of pure gamer rage and all of it revolved around two words: ‘game key card.’
Now let’s analyze this matter more thoroughly. A ‘game key card’ is that commodity which you can search at Walmart or GameStop. It can be a thing made of cardboard or plastic which holds a code for downloading the game. You purchase the card, scratch off the code and redeem it on the Nintendo eShop to download the game. This is not a cartridge. The game is not included in any physical way on the card. For some gamers, largely collectors, or people who are afraid of losing their digital ownership, this is a huge, huge issue.
And the reaction to Nintendo’s tweets is a clear indication of the extent of people’s anger. One user named @jazc007 did not hold back his feelings: ‘This is hideous. US$70 cash grab on a game-key card💩👋#DoBetterNintendo #StopTheGreed #DropThePrices #VoteWithYourWallets.’ That particular thought was echoed repeatedly. The @BrownieheroEXE was literally putting it the same way with ‘Make it a non-key-card format and you got my money.’ User @EnigmaticGaymer even went on to say, ‘Sorry but no. Game Key Card = No Buy. First Pokemon game in over a decade I’m not buying.’
Wow. That is really harsh. When a loyal player of the series says that he is not going to buy the game during the whole decade, you can be pretty sure that a serious problem is going on. The major contention is about ownership and worth. As @Whatsit67785114 pointed out in a reply to another user, ‘Game Key Cards dont come with the Game on the Card. You have to download it. Which means at any point Nintendo could decide you are not allowed to use it anymore. You dont really own it and cant play it at some Point in the Future anymore. Full Physical Games last forever.’
This issue has a philosophical side to it. It feels really bad to pay $70 for a digital license that technically could be taken away from you. If you buy a phantom physical card that contains the game for $70, it seems like a rip-off, especially when you can easily get a full cartridge for other Switch 2 games. @Kron0z_C put it simply by saying ’70$ Game key card ditto spin-off? No thanks. Looks like a 50$ Dollars game. Maybe I’m wrong.’
Moreover, the question of aesthetics came in as another argument. Not everyone was turned off by the actual sale strategy. There were just some players who did not like the Pokemon with Ditto as its main feature at all. @MochiMan94 was even saying, ‘i don’t know how but you managed to ruin ditto faces. get those demonic shimmers out of their eyes!’ @AquaVDragon was really confused by the choice of a character: ‘The ditto thing really throws me off. Why not be a normal Pokemon and not a ditto? why not Zorua/Zoroark… I just don’t like ditto face being the canon.’ Even the graphics were mocked when @GerarFPP (and we are translating here) asked, ‘Why in this photo does the game look like a Roblox game? XD’
To be honest, it was not all bad news. Mixed with some negative reactions, there were also a couple of positive ones. @Glitchymagic liked the GameShare feature and thought it to be a good socializing opportunity with friends who were still hesitant about the game. Meanwhile, discussions about other platforms like PlayStation and Xbox continue elsewhere.
