After a seven-year hiatus, WWE 2K25 is finally coming to a Nintendo platform with its Switch 2 release on July 23, 2025. But while fans were excited to see the franchise return, the physical edition comes with a major caveat: there’s no actual game cartridge inside the box.
A “physical” release in name only
Despite being sold at full price and packaged like a standard retail game, the Switch 2 version of WWE 2K25 includes only a download code, no cartridge, no game key card, and no offline installation option. This has sparked backlash among collectors and preservationists, who argue that the release undermines the very idea of physical media.
“It’s just a code in a box,” one fan wrote on social media. “Why even bother?”
Why it matters
- No offline play unless the game is downloaded
- No resale or lending—the code is tied to a single Nintendo account
- Preservation concerns for future access if servers go offline
- Misleading packaging, with some early listings suggesting a key card would be included
This isn’t the first time 2K has done this: NBA 2K24 on the original Switch had a similar “code in box” release, but WWE 2K25 is the first mainline wrestling title on a Nintendo console since the disastrous WWE 2K18 port.
What’s in the game?
Despite the packaging controversy, WWE 2K25 on Switch 2 includes all the features of its PS5 and Xbox Series counterparts:
- 300+ wrestlers, including legends and current superstars
- The Island mode (exclusive to current-gen platforms)
- Intergender matches, MyGM online multiplayer, and The Bloodline Showcase
- File size: 73.2GB; the largest of any Switch game to date
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