Will my Switch game still download if I take the cartridge off?

The answer to this question is yes, your Switch game will still download updates andеп be accessible even if you take the cartridge off, as the game progress is saved on the console itself, not on the cartridge. This means that you can remove the cartridge and the game will still be available for download from the eShop, and any updates will be applied automatically if you have set your Switch to auto-update.

Understanding Switch Games and Cartridges

How Games are Saved and Updated

The Nintendo Switch offers a unique gaming experience, allowing players to switch seamlessly between digital and physical versions of games, with the game progress saved on the console. This means that whether you play a game using a cartridge or download it from the eShop, your progress will always be saved and accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you download a Switch game if you have the cartridge?: No, when you purchase a cartridge, you are buying a physical copy of the game, and it cannot be downloaded to your Switch.
2. Will Switch games update without the cartridge?: Yes, games will auto-update if that’s how you have it set, regardless of whether the cartridge is inserted or not.
3. Do you have to have the same cartridge to continue a game in Nintendo Switch?: No, the game progress is saved in the console, not in the game cartridge, so you can continue playing with a different cartridge as long as it’s the same region.
4. Do you still have to download physical Switch games?: No, unless there’s an update you need to download, you can play a physical game immediately after inserting the cartridge.
5. Is it better to buy physical games or digital?: Physical games tend to go down in price faster than digital copies, making them a better choice if you’re buying a game after its release.
6. What happens if you have a physical and digital copy of a Switch game?: You can use the game save data created by your physical copy with the digital copy, allowing you to continue playing and sell or give away the physical copy.
7. Can I use the same game on two switches?: Yes, you can redownload the game on another Switch using the same Nintendo Account, but you cannot play the game on both consoles simultaneously.
8. What happens when you put a Switch cartridge in another Switch?: The save data for games on the Switch is saved to the console itself, not the game cartridge, so each console will have different save data.
9. Do Switch games run faster on cartridge?: No, internal memory is actually faster than cartridge and microSD card for loading games.
10. Are Switch cartridges faster?: No, internal storage is faster than microSD cards and cartridges for gameplay, benefiting save data and game navigation.
11. Why does the Switch still use cartridges?: The technology in a cartridge can load data faster and more reliably than a disc, although Blu-Ray discs are more resistant to damage.
12. How many games can a Switch hold?: The number of games a Switch can hold is limited by storage space, but a moderate user can store around 30 games.
13. What to do if you lose your Switch game cartridge?: If you lose a physical game, you’ll have to buy it again, but you can resume your game progress if you replace the game, since save data is stored separately on the Switch internal memory.
14. Can two people share a Switch cartridge?: Yes, there’s nothing stopping you from sharing a cartridge with a friend, as the save data is stored on the console, not the cartridge.
15. Can you use someone else’s Nintendo Switch game?: Digital games are tied to the Nintendo Account that purchased them, but all users on a system can play games purchased by any Nintendo Account that has registered the system as their primary console.