Activision's upcoming title Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 may not include a physical game cartridge for its Nintendo Switch 2 release, according to reports from gaming retailers.
Information surfaced by independent retailer Video Games Plus indicates that physical copies of the title on Nintendo's new console will instead feature a single-use download voucher inside the case. This format ties the digital license directly to a single eShop account, effectively eliminating the ability for players to trade or resell their physical copy. In response to the news, Video Games Plus publicly announced it would refrain from stocking the game, emphasizing its commitment to selling true physical media.
The release marks the first time a Call of Duty game has appeared on a Nintendo platform since Call of Duty: Ghosts launched on the Wii U in 2013. Modern Warfare 4 is scheduled to launch simultaneously on the Switch 2 alongside versions for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles. However, Activision has not yet officially confirmed the packaging format for the Switch 2 edition or disclosed whether disc-based copies will be available for PlayStation and Xbox.
If the report holds true, Activision appears to have passed on Nintendo's Game Key Card system. That alternative mechanism enables physical distribution and resale without requiring the entire game to be stored on a traditional cartridge. The move aligns with a broader industry trend toward digital-only distribution, seen in other upcoming high-profile titles such as Grand Theft Auto 6 and rumors surrounding a Switch 2 port of Diablo 4.
Players interested in evaluating the game's performance on the new Nintendo hardware will soon have an opportunity, as the second phase of the Modern Warfare 4 beta begins later this week. The test includes a campaign mission, multiplayer modes, and an early preview of Warzone.
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