Publisher Accidentally Confirms New Switch 2 Cartridge Sizes (And Then Panics)

137

There’s nothing quite like watching a publisher accidentally spill confidential Nintendo secrets, then scramble to delete the evidence before anyone notices. Spoiler alert: the internet noticed.

Oops! ININ Games was not supposed to publicly disclose the fact that there are smaller capacity Switch 2 game cards. They deleted their social posts and edited their blog post. https://t.co/nOTJLgiD11 pic.twitter.com/EceHV8M00h

— Nintendeal (@Nintendeal) December 19, 2025

While the Nintendo Switch 2 has been in our hands since its June launch, Nintendo continues refining manufacturing processes behind the scenes. This week, publisher ININ Games inadvertently confirmed a significant hardware rumor while promoting R-Type Dimensions III. Before hastily deleting their announcement, they revealed Nintendo had introduced two smaller cartridge formats for the console information Nintendo hasn’t publicly disclosed.

The Leak We Weren’t Supposed To See

ININ’s slip occurred while explaining production adjustments for R-Type’s physical release. Screenshots circulating across X and Reddit captured their deleted statement:

“There is no better timing: Two days ago Nintendo announced two new smaller cartridge sizes for Nintendo Switch 2. This allows us to recalculate production in a way that wasn’t possible before.”

Physical collectors should celebrate this development. Nintendo’s introduction of lower-capacity game cards specifically targets smaller indie releases, eliminating the need for publishers to purchase expensive, high-capacity cartridges for compact titles. A 2GB retro shooter no longer requires the same storage as sprawling open-world games, making physical distributions significantly more economically viable throughout 2026.

The “Switch Tax” Is Still Alive

Smaller cartridges don’t automatically translate to cheaper games, though. ININ’s announcement included a sobering reality check.

Proprietary Nintendo cartridge manufacturing costs remain substantial, forcing ININ to price R-Type Dimensions III’s physical edition €10 above its digital counterpart.

That premium stings, but context matters. ININ’s original calculations using previous cartridge options projected a €15 markup. These new mini-carts reduce the physical tax by €5, though collectors still pay premium prices for boxed copies.

The Cleanup Operation

Predictably, ININ Games wiped their social media posts and blog entries once gamers began dissecting confidential manufacturing details. The internet, however, forgets nothing.

This accidental disclosure confirms Nintendo actively addresses production cost challenges that have complicated the Switch 2’s initial six-month rollout. R-Type Dimensions III targets a May 2026 release window, ideally after Nintendo fully resolves these cartridge manufacturing complications.