Call of Duty 23: Modern Warfare 4 on Switch 2 Is Just a Download Code

The Switch 2 physical edition of Call of Duty 23: Modern Warfare 4 ships with only a download code inside the box, while PS5 gets an actual disc that still needs an online download.

Well, this is going to sting for physical media fans. Call of Duty 23: Modern Warfare 4 is coming to Switch 2, but if you were hoping to hold a cartridge in your hands, bad news: the box is basically empty.

According to the Amazon listing, the Switch 2 physical version is a boxed download code. There's no game card inside the case, just a digital code you redeem. So the "physical edition" is really just a fancy box with a piece of paper in it.

PS5 players fare a little better. That version does come with an actual disc. But don't get too comfortable, because even the PS5 disc doesn't contain the full game. You'll need to connect to the internet and download and install the complete game content before you can play.

The game itself is the latest entry in the classic FPS series, developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision. It's set to launch on October 23, 2026, across PC, PS5, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X|S.

So the pattern here is pretty clear: the Switch 2 version goes all-digital in disguise, and the PS5 version is a disc that still leans on a hefty download. Neither one is a plug-and-play, offline-friendly package in the traditional sense.

It's a bummer if you like collecting boxes or you're stuck with slow internet, but it's also the direction a lot of big releases have been heading. Still, calling a download code a physical release is a bit of a stretch, and Switch 2 owners are the ones getting the short end of the stick this time.

What do you think? Are you fine with boxed download codes, or does a physical release without a cartridge or disc feel like a rip-off? Let us know in the comments.