If GKCs didn't exist, we'd either get more code in boxes or digital only like a lot of shit on xbox is. At least with them you can get them on sale/used or have the option to resell them.
Nintendo/Macronix is retarded for not pushing for 8gb/16gb/32gb cart sizes though. The NS2 editions even possibly prove you don't need the upgraded carts for NS2 software either.