Bethesda's Switch 2 Strategy: Why Indiana Jones Gets a Cartridge When Others Don't

The announcement of a new Nintendo console forces publishers to define their strategy, and for collectors, a key question is always: will the games come on a cartridge? On February 5, 2026, Bethesda provided a nuanced answer. During a Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, the publisher confirmed four major titles for the Nintendo Switch 2. However, in a move that has sparked immediate discussion, only one of these games—Indiana Jones and the Great Circle—will ship on a traditional physical game cartridge. The rest will adopt a "code-in-a-box" model. This calculated, hybrid approach offers a fascinating case study in modern publishing economics, brand positioning, and the uncertain future of physical media itself.

The Announcement & Bethesda's Switch 2 Lineup

The details emerged clearly from Bethesda’s official communications following the February 5 showcase. The publisher is bringing a formidable slice of its catalog to Nintendo’s new hardware, targeting both nostalgia and fresh adventure. The lineup consists of four key releases:

• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (May 12, 2026)
• Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition (Digital: February 24, 2026; Physical Code-in-Box: April 28, 2026)
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition (Code-in-Box: April 28, 2026)
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (Digital in 2026, with a code-in-box edition to follow)

For players, this represents a treasure trove of content, from the post-apocalyptic ruins of the Commonwealth to the rolling hills of Cyrodiil and Skyrim, capped with a globetrotting new narrative. For collectors, however, the immediate takeaway was one of division. Bethesda is implementing a distinctly mixed physical media strategy from the very launch window of the Switch 2, creating a clear tier system for its releases before the console has even fully established its retail presence.

The Sole Cartridge: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Scheduled for release on May 12, 2026, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle stands alone in Bethesda’s plan as the only title guaranteed to have data on the cartridge itself. Developed by MachineGames, the studio behind the critically acclaimed modern Wolfenstein series, this title represents Bethesda’s flagship new single-player adventure for the year. Its simultaneous launch with the The Order of Giants DLC underscores its status as a major, complete package.

So why does Indy get the golden idol treatment? Several compelling reasons emerge. First, as a brand-new, high-profile cinematic adventure, it carries the weight of a major marketing campaign. A tangible cartridge conveys premium value and event status, which is crucial for a major release—even one attached to a legendary franchise—to stand out in a crowded launch window. Second, practical considerations likely play a role. As a linear, story-driven game built for modern systems, its file size may be more manageable and predictable for cartridge manufacturing than the vast, open-world environments of a Fallout 4 or Skyrim, especially when factoring in potential next-gen visual enhancements. By choosing Indy for the cartridge, Bethesda is signaling that this is their premier, must-have Switch 2 experience, worthy of a traditional physical artifact.

The "Code-in-a-Box" Reality for Other Titles

For the other three announced games, the term "physical edition" requires careful scrutiny. A "code-in-a-box" release is precisely what it sounds like: a retail box that contains a slip of paper with a download code, and no game card whatsoever. It is, in essence, a physical voucher for a digital purchase, often sold at the same price point as a full cartridge edition.

For consumers, this model carries significant caveats: it eliminates the possibility of resale or lending, creates a permanent dependency on Nintendo's download servers, and offers no functional game preservation once the code is redeemed or the eShop eventually closes.

Bethesda’s schedule for these releases is telling. Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition will hit the Nintendo eShop digitally on February 24, 2026, with its code-in-box version following nearly two months later on April 28. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition will see its code-in-box release on that same April 28 date. Oblivion Remastered is confirmed for a digital launch sometime in 2026, with a boxed code edition to follow later.

The business and logistical rationale behind this approach is stark. High-capacity Nintendo game cartridges are significantly more expensive to produce than Blu-ray discs for other consoles or simple download codes. For massive, decade-old games like Skyrim and Fallout 4, which may require enormous cartridges to hold their remastered assets and all included DLC, the profit margin on a physical sale becomes much thinner. By opting for code-in-a-box, Bethesda can maintain a retail presence—crucial for visibility and gift purchases—while avoiding the steep manufacturing costs associated with cartridges for these expansive, older titles. It’s a cost-benefit analysis applied directly to their back catalog.

What This Strategy Tells Us About Physical Media on Switch 2

Bethesda’s move is not happening in a vacuum; it reflects broader industry currents. The gradual phase-out of physical media has been a dominant trend for a decade, accelerated by digital storefronts, subscription services, and the rise of "Digital Deluxe" editions. However, Nintendo’s platforms have traditionally been a bastion for physical collectors, with cartridges offering durability, nostalgia, and a strong resale market.

Bethesda’s hybrid strategy poses a critical question: is this an outlier, or a harbinger for third-party support on the Switch 2? The publisher may be using its portfolio to test the waters. The high-cost, new release (Indiana Jones) gets a full cartridge to maximize appeal and perceived value. The beloved but older library titles transition to a lower-risk, digital-focused model. Other major third-party publishers will be watching closely to see if consumers balk at the code-in-a-box model or accept it as the new normal for ports and re-releases.

The implications for game preservation and collecting are profound. A code-in-a-box is functionally useless once the Nintendo eShop for the Switch 2 eventually closes its doors in the distant future. It offers no security against delisting or digital rights management. This strategy places the onus of preservation squarely on first-party Nintendo titles. Will Nintendo itself continue to champion physical cartridges for its own marquee games like The Legend of Zelda or Mario? Almost certainly. But Bethesda’s plan suggests that for third-party games on the Switch 2, the true, data-containing cartridge may become a curated luxury rather than a standard—a special honor reserved for the newest and most prestigious releases.

Bethesda’s hybrid approach for the Nintendo Switch 2 creates a clear hierarchy in the physical space. The brand-new, cinematic adventure of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is deemed worthy of a premium physical artifact, a tangible connection to the thrill of discovery that defines the franchise. Meanwhile, the celebrated, sprawling worlds of Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, despite their enduring popularity, are gently ushered toward a digital future, their physical editions reduced to mere ceremonial boxes. This strategy is a pragmatic reflection of development costs, file sizes, and market testing. For gamers, it underscores a pressing need to read the fine print on "physical" editions. The collecting landscape for the Switch 2 generation is being defined early, and it suggests that the humble game cartridge—once a universal standard—may be transforming into a rarity, a deliberate prize to be sought after and treasured.

Tags: Nintendo Switch 2, Bethesda, Physical Games, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Game Preservation