Nintendo Experiments With Selling Switch Game Cases With No Cartridges In Them

Apparently, Nintendo thinks their fans really love their packaging. Like, really love it. Enough to buy it even if it doesn't contain any actual hardware or software. Hey, they may be right.

As we recently reported, Nintendo's Japanese online store is selling a Splatoon 2 Nintendo Switch bundle box for five bucks. Just the cardboard box – no Switch or copy of Splatoon 2 included. Why? Shrug. Maybe they printed too many? Or maybe, just for laughs, they fill one in a hundred boxes with spiders? Well, turns out Nintendo's experiment with selling empty boxes is wider-ranging than we thought.

When Splatoon 2 launches in July, Japanese gamers can grab one of three versions – a basic digital download, a retail package with plastic case and game card, and retail version that includes a case with nothing inside. Okay, the case contains a download code, but otherwise, you'll be walking out of the store with a plastic package filled with nothing but air. What a time to be alive. Nintendo detailed the "Splatoon 2 Game Card Free Version" on its Japanese web site.

This makes a little more sense than the empty Nintendo Switch bundle box. At least you're getting a copy of the game, and, as plenty of gamers will tell you, many people only buy physical games because they like how they look lined up on the shelf. So, I guess Nintendo decided to give the small niche who want an attractive box, but don't want to actually mess with cartridges an option.

It will be interesting to see if Nintendo brings the "case with no cart" option to Europe or North America. I have a feeling it won't happen, as I'm sure the company would catch flak for being wasteful in the West.

Splatoon 2 explodes onto the Nintendo Switch on July 21. Keep up with all the latest Nintendo Switch coverage by bookmarking this page. You can also check out WWG's extensive back catalog of Switch stories by clicking right here.

[via Kotaku]