Nintendo Switch 2 owners eagerly awaiting the release of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds this fall might face an unexpected twist. According to a prominent industry insider, the game may not arrive on a traditional cartridge but instead utilize Nintendo's Game Key-Card system for physical copies.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is poised to challenge Mario Kart World in the competitive kart-racing genre. However, the potential absence of a physical cartridge could disappoint fans who prefer tangible game collections.

The game was first unveiled during The Game Awards 2024 with an exciting trailer, marking the series' return since 2019's Team Sonic Racing. Scheduled for release on September 25 across multiple platforms including PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch, the title will also receive a Switch 2 upgrade post-launch.

Industry insider Wario64 recently shared concerning information from a Sega customer support conversation, suggesting the Switch 2 version might ship with Nintendo's Game Key-Cards instead of traditional cartridges. These bright red casings contain download codes rather than game data, a decision that has sparked debate among collectors.

Nintendo introduced the Game Key-Card system as a compromise for physical collectors, addressing storage limitations of Switch 2 cartridges. However, the company's decision to exempt its first-party titles from this system has drawn criticism for apparent double standards.

While comparisons between Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and Mario Kart World are inevitable, Sega's Takashi Iizuka emphasizes their distinct approaches. He describes their title as a purer racing experience compared to Mario Kart World's action-oriented gameplay.