The number of digital games a Nintendo Switch can hold depends entirely on the size of each game and the available storage space.
Ever wondered how many digital games can a Nintendo Switch hold? It’s a common question for anyone diving into the world of digital gaming on this console. The built-in storage fills up quickly, especially with bigger titles.
Knowing the storage limits helps you plan your game purchases effectively. You can also opt for microSD cards to expand the capacity. This allows you to have more games ready to play.
How Many Digital Games Can a Nintendo Switch Hold?
So, you’ve got a Nintendo Switch, and you’re ready to dive into a world of awesome games! But, maybe you’re wondering, just how many of those fun digital games can you actually fit on your little console? It’s a great question, and the answer isn’t as simple as just one number. It depends on a few things, like which Switch you have and how big your games are. Let’s break it down, so you can be sure you have plenty of space for all your adventures.
Understanding Nintendo Switch Storage
First, let’s talk about the storage built into your Nintendo Switch. The original Nintendo Switch model, as well as the Nintendo Switch OLED model, come with 32GB of internal storage. Now, that might sound like a lot, but it’s not all free to use. Some of that space is used by the system itself for its operating system. So, you’re really starting with a bit less than 32GB to play with. The Nintendo Switch Lite only has 32 GB of internal storage as well. But, the Nintendo Switch OLED edition includes 64 GB of internal storage. It means it provides twice the amount of space to store your favorite games. The available storage is what will determine how many digital games you can download on your system.
The Importance of System Files
It’s crucial to remember that some of the built-in storage is dedicated to the Nintendo Switch’s operating system. Think of it like the engine of your console – it needs its space to run correctly. Because of this, you won’t have the full 32GB or 64GB free for games. This is completely normal, and you need to consider this when you’re figuring out how many games you can fit on your console.
Game File Sizes: The Variable Factor
The biggest factor in how many games you can store is the size of the games themselves. Just like books, movies, or songs, digital games come in different sizes. Some games are small and simple, while others are big and packed with lots of graphics and content. Some indie titles can be less than 1 GB, while bigger games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate can take up a lot more room.
Examples of Game Sizes
To give you a better idea of file sizes, let’s look at a few examples:
- Some Indie Games: Often under 1GB (sometimes even a few hundred MBs!)
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: About 7GB
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: Approximately 14GB
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Around 16GB
- Large AAA titles: Frequently 10GB to 20 GB or even more.
As you can see, the size of games varies quite a lot. This means you can store many more smaller indie games than you can big, blockbuster games.
Calculating Game Capacity on the Switch
Let’s try to do some math and figure out the number of games you could potentially hold.
Using the Original Nintendo Switch (and Lite) as Example
Since the original Nintendo Switch and the Lite model have similar storage, they will be a good example. You’ll have around 25-26 GB of usable space after the system takes its share. If you only downloaded small indie games, you could fit a whole bunch – possibly 20 to 30 or more depending on the game sizes. But if you wanted to download 2-3 games, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Smash Bros Ultimate, your storage would be almost full.
Storage Capacity on the Nintendo Switch OLED
The Nintendo Switch OLED model offers a little more breathing room with 64GB of built-in storage. This translates to roughly 55 GB of usable space for digital games. This is still not enough for a massive amount of titles, but it does provide more space for more games than other Nintendo Switch models. Again, if we talk about large titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (approximately 14 GB) and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (around 16GB), you could hold a couple of these along with a few smaller indie games.
The Savior: MicroSD Cards
Thankfully, Nintendo knew that storage space could be an issue, so they gave all the Nintendo Switch models the ability to use microSD cards! These small cards can be inserted into your Switch to significantly expand your storage. This allows you to store many more games without needing to delete old ones.
Types of MicroSD Cards
You can use different types of microSD cards, including:
- MicroSD cards
- MicroSDHC cards
- MicroSDXC cards
The bigger the number on your MicroSD card, the more games you can store. You can add up to 2TB (terabytes) of extra storage with the right MicroSDXC card, so you could hold a huge library of digital games!
Choosing the Right MicroSD Card
When choosing a MicroSD card, here are a few things to consider:
- Size: How much extra space do you need? If you plan to buy mostly big games, you will want a larger card.
- Speed: Look for a card with a good speed rating, as this will help with loading times for your games.
- Brand: Buy from a trusted brand like SanDisk or Samsung, to ensure quality and reliability.
How to Insert and Use a MicroSD Card
Using a microSD card is easy! Turn off your Switch, find the slot under the kickstand on the back of the console, insert the card, and then turn the Switch back on. Your games will be stored on the SD card automatically. You can also move games from your system’s internal memory to the SD card, if needed.
Managing Your Digital Game Library
Even with an SD card, it’s helpful to manage your games. Here are a few tips:
Archiving Games
If you don’t have space for all the games you want to keep, try “archiving” games you’re not currently playing. This removes the game files from your console or SD card but keeps all your save data. Then, when you want to play the game again, you can quickly download it.
Deleting Games
You can also delete games you know you won’t play again. This will free up space, but you might lose your progress in that game if you haven’t saved to the cloud. Make sure you’re really done with a game before you delete it!
Cloud Saves
If you have a Nintendo Switch Online membership, you can back up your saved games to the cloud. This is extremely useful in case your console breaks, or you need to delete games to make room. Your progress won’t be lost! If you accidentally delete your game, your game save data will be safe in the cloud, and it can be downloaded when you re-download your game.
The Impact of Updates and DLC
Keep in mind, that game sizes can grow over time, when updates and DLC (downloadable content) are released. Updates fix bugs and add new features, and they can increase the file size of your games. DLCs are add-ons for games, like new maps, characters, or stories, which also take up extra storage. Consider these possible additions when choosing a microSD card.
Plan for the Future
When choosing an SD card, think about the games you might play in the future, as well as the ones you enjoy now. A larger card will give you the freedom to buy any digital game that you want without the fear of running out of space.
In short, while the internal memory on a Nintendo Switch might not seem like a ton, the ability to add storage with microSD cards makes it so that you can keep a huge library of games. By understanding how the storage works, by being mindful of file sizes, and by having a good plan for expansion, you can make sure you always have room for fun!
Nintendo Switch Physical Vs Digital Full Guide!
Final Thoughts
The number of digital games a Nintendo Switch can hold depends entirely on the microSD card you use. A larger card provides significantly more storage.
A standard Switch has only 32 GB of internal memory and this fills fast. Gamers often add a 128GB, 256GB, or even larger card to accommodate their collections. So, how many digital games can a nintendo switch hold? It really depends on storage space.
