Recently, a news report cited a customer service representative saying that physical releases of "Switch 2 Edition" games—Switch 1 games that have added features or functionality on the Switch 2—are just Switch 1 game carts with download codes for the Upgrade Pack in the box:
There are two ways to interpret this:
The code is a literal code that you type into the eShop to redeem the Upgrade Pack, leaving the Upgrade Pack strictly tied to one console or account after redemption. If you buy a used game card, the Upgrade Pack won't be included.
The "code" is actually burned into the cartridge somehow, similar to Switch 2's Game Key Cards. The Upgrade Pack still needs to be downloaded but anyone with the game card can do so.
Resolution Criteria
The first "Switch 2 Edition" games that are planned to be released are Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom on June 5th, so we'll use those games to resolve this.
This question resolves "Yes" if I see convincing online or in-person reports that the physical releases of the "Switch 2 Edition" of those two games either:
Allow any holder of the Switch 2 Edition game cards to download the Upgrade Pack (similar to Game Key Cards or some equivalent system), or
Have the data for the Upgrade Pack burned into the game card itself.
This question resolves "No" if somehow the Upgrade Pack is restricted to be downloaded on a single console or Nintendo account, e.g. via an eShop code that is void after being redeemed just once.
Fine print
I may extend the question resolution date if either the Switch 2 or the Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition releases are delayed.
If for some reason the Switch 2 Edition Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are not released in physical form, I'll change the resolution criteria to some other high-profile Switch 2 Edition game.
The intention of this question is mainly to see whether you can transfer ownership of a complete Switch 2 Edition game, with the upgrades included, by reselling or giving away the game card. As such, technicalities like "You can use it on multiple consoles if you sign into the same Nintendo Account" will still cause it to resolve as "No".
In case the strategy differs between different regions: I'll be focusing on the US releases of these games only.
If we get solid confirmation of the answer before the release of these games, such that the market is stuck at near-0% or near-100% along with very reliable sources, I may choose to resolve the question before the games' release.
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