The National Diet Library, the institution dedicated to collecting and preserving Japan's physical media, has declared that the Nintendo Switch 2's Game-Key Cards do not meet the criteria for their collection, as they are effectively digital copies. Since the library began its mission to archive physical video games in October 2000, it has amassed an impressive collection of over 9,600 titles. Interestingly, the library has also started to archive digital books and magazines, hinting that the criteria for preservation may evolve in the years to come.
In response to inquiries regarding the Switch 2 game-key cards, representatives from the NDL stated, “Only physical media that contains the content itself is considered eligible for preservation. Since a key card, on its own, does not qualify as content, it falls outside of our scope for collection and preservation.”
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