Archiving vs. Deleting on Nintendo Switch: A Comprehensive Guide
The great digital declutter! Every Nintendo Switch owner eventually faces the daunting decision of managing their storage space. When your console starts flashing the dreaded “storage full” message, you’re presented with two primary options for managing your downloaded games and software: archiving and deleting. While both free up valuable space, they function very differently.
In essence, archiving a game removes the game data from your Switch but keeps the game icon on your Home Menu. Think of it like putting a book back on the shelf; it’s still there, easily accessible, but not actively taking up space on your coffee table. Deleting a game, on the other hand, removes everything – the game data and the icon. It’s like taking that book and tossing it into a digital abyss (though thankfully, not permanently!). The key difference boils down to convenience of re-downloading.
Understanding Archiving on Nintendo Switch
When you archive a game, the core game files are removed from your Switch’s internal memory or microSD card. This means you instantly gain that storage space back. However, the crucial part is that the game icon remains visible on your Home Menu. Selecting this icon after archiving will prompt you to re-download the game from the Nintendo eShop. You do not need to repurchase the game. The icon acts as a shortcut, streamlining the redownload process.
Archiving is ideal for games you aren’t actively playing but might want to revisit in the future. It’s a perfect middle ground between keeping everything installed and completely removing the game. It keeps your Home Menu organized and reminds you of the games you own. Best of all, your save data remains untouched! You can pick up right where you left off once you redownload the archived game.
Delving into Deletion on Nintendo Switch
Deleting a game takes a more drastic approach. When you choose to delete, you remove both the game data and the game icon from your Home Menu. This frees up the storage space occupied by the game, but the icon disappears entirely.
To play the game again after deleting it, you’ll need to navigate to the Nintendo eShop, find the game in your purchase history, and re-download it from there. Similar to archiving, deleting does not affect your save data unless you specifically choose to delete it separately. Your progress is safe and sound!
Deletion is best suited for games you’re absolutely certain you won’t be playing again or titles you’ve completed and don’t intend to revisit. It provides the cleanest slate on your Home Menu, reducing clutter, and freeing up storage for new adventures.
Archiving vs. Deleting: A Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Archiving | Deleting |
|---|---|---|
| ——————- | ——————————————- | ——————————————- |
| Storage Space | Frees up storage space | Frees up storage space |
| Game Icon | Remains on Home Menu as a shortcut | Removed from Home Menu |
| Redownload Process | Easy redownload via the icon | Redownload via Nintendo eShop purchase history |
| Save Data | Preserved (unless you choose to delete it) | Preserved (unless you choose to delete it) |
| Purchase Required | No repurchase required | No repurchase required |
| Best For | Games you might play again in the future | Games you’re sure you won’t play again |
Making the Right Choice: Factors to Consider
The decision between archiving and deleting comes down to your individual play style and storage needs. Ask yourself these questions:
- Do I see myself playing this game again? If yes, archiving is the better choice.
- How much storage space do I need? If you need every gigabyte possible, deleting might be necessary.
- How organized do I want my Home Menu to be? Archiving keeps your library visible, while deleting cleans it up.
- How quickly do I want to be able to replay a game? Archiving offers faster access via the Home Menu icon.
Ultimately, there is no “right” or “wrong” answer. Choose the option that best fits your preferences and helps you manage your Nintendo Switch storage effectively. If you’re interested in the educational aspects of gaming, consider exploring the resources available at the Games Learning Society (https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/). Understanding the mechanics and choices within games, even simple ones like archiving versus deleting, can provide valuable insights into learning processes and decision-making.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does archiving a game delete my save data?
No, archiving does not delete your save data. Your game progress is stored separately and remains intact.
2. Do I have to rebuy an archived game?
Absolutely not! Once you’ve purchased a game from the Nintendo eShop, it is tied to your Nintendo Account. You can redownload archived games as many times as you like without paying again.
3. What happens if I delete a game? Does it remove my save data?
Deleting a game removes the game data and the icon from your Home Menu. Your save data remains untouched unless you specifically choose to delete it separately from the System Settings.
4. How do I archive a game on my Nintendo Switch?
- From the Home Menu, highlight the game you want to archive.
- Press the + or – button on your Joy-Con or Pro Controller.
- Select “Manage Software.”
- Choose “Archive Software.”
5. How do I delete a game on my Nintendo Switch?
- From the Home Menu, highlight the game you want to delete.
- Press the + or – button on your Joy-Con or Pro Controller.
- Select “Manage Software.”
- Choose “Delete Software.”
6. How do I redownload an archived game?
Simply select the archived game icon on your Home Menu. You’ll be prompted to begin the redownload process from the Nintendo eShop.
7. How do I redownload a deleted game?
- Open the Nintendo eShop.
- Select your user icon in the top-right corner.
- Choose “Redownload” from the left-hand menu.
- Find the deleted game in the list and select the download icon.
8. Can I archive or delete physical games?
No, archiving and deleting only apply to digital games downloaded from the Nintendo eShop. Physical games don’t take up storage space on your console.
9. Does archiving or deleting affect my Nintendo Switch Online save data backups?
No, archiving or deleting a game does not affect your cloud save data backups through Nintendo Switch Online. Your saves are securely stored in the cloud.
10. Can I move archived games to a microSD card?
Archiving removes the game data from either the system memory or the microSD card. You don’t “move” archived games. When you redownload, you can choose where to install it.
11. What’s the largest microSD card I can use with my Nintendo Switch?
The Nintendo Switch supports microSD cards up to 2TB. However, 1TB cards are the largest currently readily available.
12. How do I delete save data on my Nintendo Switch?
- From the Home Menu, select “System Settings.”
- Scroll down and select “Data Management.”
- Choose “Delete Save Data.”
- Select the game whose save data you want to delete.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to delete the save data.
13. Will deleting a game free up more space than archiving?
Yes, deleting a game will free up slightly more space since it also removes the game icon. However, the difference is minimal compared to the overall game size.
14. Is it possible to accidentally delete a game?
Yes, it is possible to accidentally delete a game. Nintendo provides prompts and warnings, but it’s always best to double-check before confirming the deletion.
15. Should I archive or delete if I’m running out of space?
Consider how likely you are to replay the game. If you might want to play it again, archiving is better. If you are sure you will never play it again, deleting is the better option for maximum space savings and a cleaner Home Menu.