What is the first Pokémon game released on a Game-Key Card?

Pokémon Pokopia is the first Pokémon game released on a Game-Key Card.

The physical edition of Pokopia uses Nintendo’s Game-Key Card format. Unlike a traditional game card that contains the full software, a Game-Key Card requires the player to download the game through the internet. The card must remain inserted in the Nintendo Switch 2 system whenever the game is played.

Pokopia was also the first game published by Nintendo to use a Game-Key Card. That makes the release notable beyond Pokémon, because the title appeared at the beginning of Nintendo’s adoption of this physical format. The digital edition is available separately and does not use the card.

A Game-Key Card should not be confused with downloadable content or a standard cartridge. The card serves as a physical license and launch key, while the complete game data is downloaded. Nintendo’s product information notes that a microSD Express card may be needed for the download, depending on available system storage.