Danganronpa 2×2, the upcoming remake and retooling of the 2012 murder mystery, is canceling pre-orders for physical Switch 2 versions as developer Spike Chunsoft says that it has to release the game on game-key cards now for “unavoidable reasons.”
The company doesn’t get into what those reasons are, but whatever the case, if you’ve pre-ordered Danganronpa 2×2’s physical editions (including the Psycho Tropical Vacation Package special edition) through its online stores, you should be receiving an email from the company confirming the pre-order has been canceled and informing you that if you want the game-key card version, pre-orders are up for that. Pre-orders through other retailers will not be canceled, but will contain a game-key copy of the game when they show up at your doorstep in 2027. The company says in a statement that the “decision was not taken lightly and follows careful consideration,” and it “does not have any additional details to share at this time.”
Well, that’s ominous. Game-key cards have become a contentious topic for Switch 2 owners, as these cartridges don’t actually include the game on them, but merely act as a way of confirming a digital license so it can be downloaded and played on the system. Nintendo has started opting to go this route for some of its own games as well, with Pokémon Pokopia also using them. Despite the controversy, it sounds like people are sucking it up and buying them.
Danganronpa 2×2 was originally set to launch in 2026, but was delayed during Anime Expo in July. The game is a remake of the original 2012 game, but also includes a new “Slayhem” route that will include a “what if” story with new killers and victims in its murder mysteries.