When you buy a physical copy of a game, you probably expect to own the game physically, right? I’d usually say that was a given, but according to publisher 2K, that’s a luxury that Switch owners just aren’t interested in. Because while you can still buy a boxed version of the new Lego 2K Drive, you won’t find much inside.
According to warnings on online storefronts and some disgruntled fans, physical versions of Lego 2K Drive on Switch are just a code in a box. While it is made clear from the offset, picking up Lego 2K Drive in-store will just give you a plastic case with a download code inside, rendering the physical copy useless once you’ve claimed the game.
It’s not clear why 2K decided to release it like this, although it is likely tied to the Nintendo Switch’s weaker hardware compared to other platforms. Even so, this only raises another question: why do a physical Switch release at all? It could have been left as a Nintendo eShop exclusive if it wasn’t possible to fit the game onto a Switch cartridge. At least it opens up the possibility to brick-and-mortar stores selling the game cheaper than Nintendo if you’re lucky, and as long as you don’t mind having a useless game case afterwards.
Understandably, fans are pretty baffled by the situation.
“2K is the most annoying company when it comes to Switch releases,” says Reddit user Farbklex. “In the past, I passed on buying the XCOM Collection just because they couldn’t be bothered putting the whole game on the cartridge.”
“This would be worthless one day after Nintendo closes their Nintendo Switch eShop,” adds Either-Ad4865. Indeed, as we’ve seen with previous Nintendo consoles like the Wii and DS, so many digital-only games are lost when storefronts are shut down. And while Lego 2K Drive is lucky enough to be on other platforms, the Switch version will be gone whenever Nintendo abandons it.
Another issue raised is the waste this creates. “Nothing like wasted manufacturing costs on plastics,” says SonicMTD. “I have no idea what kind of plastics are used to make these cases, but I hope they aren’t the low-grade stuff that can’t be recycled.”
While we can’t speak to its performance on Nintendo Switch, our editor-in-chief, Stacey Henley, wasn’t very impressed with Lego 2K Drive on Xbox Series X/S. In her review, she gave the game 2.5/5, criticising its simplicity and reliance on microtransactions. She did, however, say that younger audiences will have a good time – it might just be one to skip if you don’t have kids.
