That's not surprising. 2025 didn't really have any huge releases on GKC, while 2026 had Pokopia, Elden Ring, FF7 etc.
this post was submitted on 08 Oct 2026
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And yet, it's still a deeply unpopular format. If anything, I think it shows the demand for physical is definitely there. But people are being forced to buy that format for certain games if they hate digital because it's the only other option.
The only GKC I own is Pokopia and that is because I couldn't purchase a pure physical copy. If GKC went away and were replaced with full game carts, we would be talking about the spike in physical sales instead. If both options were available, no one would ever choose a GKC over just owning the damn game. Personally, unless it is a game I really really want to play, a key card is a dealbreaker. There is zero benefit to the consumer over just having the game on the cart.
You have a good point, I'm just a little surprised on account of how many people were saying that GKCs were dead in the water, since people would just buy digital, since they wouldn't get to own the games they were paying for either way. I really figured people would go out of their way to avoid buing GKCs.
GKC can still be sold on the used market, digital can't.
I think a lot of people realised most PS5 discs are really 'game key discs' anyway too - if it doesn't have the full game on the disc and/or needs a day1 patch to play, it's a 'game key disc'
I still hate the format but I see the appeal.
I'd rather buy a key card than buy it digitally. It at least allows me to resell the game in the future. But having the entire game on the cartridge would be a lot nicer!