How Many Games Will Your Nintendo Switch Actually Hold?
The million-dollar question for any Nintendo Switch owner (or hopeful owner) is: how many games can I cram onto this thing? The honest, slightly frustrating, but ultimately manageable answer is: it depends. It depends on the size of the games, whether you buy them digitally or physically, and how much storage you’re willing to invest in. Let’s break it down.
On its own, a standard Nintendo Switch holds a relatively limited number of digital games. With the base 32GB of internal storage (of which only about 25.9GB is actually usable after system software), you’re realistically looking at around 3-5 larger games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. If you opt for the Nintendo Switch OLED, you get 64GB of internal storage, doubling the capacity and allowing you to download and store more games. However, the best option is to get a microSD card.
The beautiful thing about the Switch is its expandable storage. You can pop in a microSD card and vastly increase your storage capacity, holding dozens, even hundreds, of games. With a 128GB microSD card, you’re looking at potentially holding around 15-18 large games, plus plenty of smaller indie titles. Go bigger with a 256GB or even a 512GB card, and the possibilities are practically endless. Keep in mind that you can use up to a 2TB microSD card!
Physical games complicate the equation slightly. While the game data itself is stored on the cartridge, save data, updates, and DLC are all stored on the Switch’s internal storage or your microSD card. This means even if you primarily buy physical games, you’ll still need some storage space for these extras.
In summary, the number of games your Nintendo Switch can hold ranges from just a handful with the base storage to a virtually unlimited number with a large microSD card and a focus on physical games. Now, let’s delve into some common questions to help you make the best storage decisions for your gaming needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Nintendo Switch Storage
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Nintendo Switch storage capacity and related issues.
1. Is 32GB Enough for a Nintendo Switch?
Honestly, probably not. If you plan to download even a moderate number of games, you’ll quickly run out of space. The 32GB internal storage is really only sufficient for very light digital game users or those who primarily buy physical cartridges. Think of it as a starting point, and plan on getting a microSD card sooner rather than later.
2. How Many Physical Games Can a Nintendo Switch Hold?
You can own as many physical games as you want! The number of cartridges you can own is limited only by the size of your game collection budget and how much room you have to store them. Keep in mind that save data and updates for physical games will still take up space on your Switch’s internal storage or microSD card.
3. What’s the Difference Between a 32GB and 64GB Switch?
The 64GB Switch OLED has double the internal memory of the standard 32GB Nintendo Switch. This means you can store more games directly on the console without needing a microSD card right away. However, both versions are compatible with microSD cards, making the difference less significant in the long run.
4. Is 64GB Enough for the Switch?
64GB is definitely better than 32GB, but it’s still on the smaller side for serious gamers. You’ll be able to hold more games than the standard Switch. If you plan to buy a mix of physical and digital games, or if you mostly play smaller indie titles, 64GB might suffice. However, for heavy digital game users, a microSD card is still highly recommended.
5. How Many Games Can You Fit on a 64GB Switch?
With 64GB of storage (around 58GB usable), you can store approximately 8-16 games, depending on their size. Larger games like Breath of the Wild can take up around 14GB, while smaller indie games might only be a few hundred megabytes.
6. How Many Switch Games Can Fit on 128GB?
A 128GB microSD card will give you room for roughly 15-18 larger Nintendo Switch games. This number can increase significantly if you play smaller indie titles, which take up considerably less space.
7. What’s the Best Storage Size for a Nintendo Switch?
For most users, a 128GB or 256GB microSD card offers the best balance of price and capacity. This will provide ample storage for a good collection of games without breaking the bank. If you’re a hardcore gamer who downloads a lot of games, consider a 512GB or even a 1TB card for maximum storage.
8. How Many GB Should a Nintendo Switch Have?
The Switch itself has 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. However, the “ideal” total storage depends on your gaming habits. With a 128GB microSD card, you get 160 GB of storage combined!
9. How Many SD Cards Do I Need for a Switch?
Ideally, you should use a single microSD card with your Nintendo Switch. While it’s technically possible to use multiple cards, it’s not recommended. Transferring data between cards can be cumbersome, and downloadable software saved to multiple cards cannot be combined later onto a single card.
10. How Many Switch Games Does the Average Person Own?
According to surveys, the average Switch owner has around 28 games. This number is constantly growing as the Switch library expands.
11. What’s the Max Memory Card Size for Nintendo Switch?
The Nintendo Switch supports microSDHC and microSDXC cards up to 2TB. While 2TB cards are still relatively expensive, they offer the ultimate storage solution for avid Switch gamers.
12. Can You Put Switch Games on an SD Card?
Yes! You can move downloaded games, updates, and save data between the Switch’s internal storage and a microSD card. This allows you to free up space on your internal storage for faster loading times or to make room for new downloads.
13. How Do I Increase Switch Storage?
The easiest way to increase your Nintendo Switch storage is by purchasing a microSD card and inserting it into the console’s microSD card slot. You can then transfer data from the internal storage to the microSD card to free up space.
14. What’s the Average GB Size for Nintendo Switch Games?
The average size of a Nintendo Switch game is around 10GB, but this can vary greatly. Large AAA titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition can be significantly larger, while smaller indie games can be much smaller.
15. Is It Better to Store Games on Switch or SD Card?
Generally, games load slightly faster from the Switch’s internal storage. However, the difference is often negligible, especially with high-performance microSD cards. It’s usually better to store most of your games on the SD card to maximize available space. Keep in mind that system memory loads the fastest so if it’s a game that loads a lot, then put it on system memory.
We hope this helps you estimate your gaming needs for the Nintendo Switch. Do you have a passion for the study of games? Consider looking at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.