No. You can play in digital mode. You get digital versions of all the physical toys along with the other ship from the other versions. It's actually better to play in digital mode because you can't use your digital-only weapon and ship in physical mode.
Anyway, if anyone is on the fence, this...
Been waiting for this, myself.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/astral-chain-nintendo-switch/6255364.p?skuId=6255364
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/daemon-x-machina-nintendo-switch/6255371.p?skuId=6255371
Mario Maker 2 is on sale for 49.99. With the additional 33% off, it comes out to about $33.33 plus tax. I'm not seeing it get much lower any time soon.
I received my shipped games.
Anyway, I also tried again a little harder and spoke to one of the specialists over the phone who was pretty in the know about the whole event. Apparently, there was directions sent out the first day, but whatever they were, they seem to have changed since. This is...