How Many Games Can A Switch Hold?

How Many Games Can a Switch Hold?

Alright, let’s talk about something super important for any Nintendo Switch fan: how many games can you actually fit on that little console? It’s a bit like asking how many toys you can fit in your toy chest – it all depends on the size of the toys! With the Switch, it’s about the size of the game files, and let me tell you, they can vary a lot!

Understanding Storage on Your Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch doesn’t have a huge amount of built-in space. It comes in a few versions, and they each have a different amount of storage when you first get them.

The Original Nintendo Switch & Switch Lite

The original Nintendo Switch and the Switch Lite both come with 32 gigabytes (GB) of internal storage. That sounds like a lot, right? Well, not entirely. Some of that space is used by the system itself – things like the operating system, updates, and other necessary software. This means you don’t get the full 32GB for your games. Think of it like having a storage box for your toys but some of the space is taken up by the box’s frame itself.

The Nintendo Switch OLED Model

The Nintendo Switch OLED model gives you a bit more to work with. It comes with 64GB of internal storage. While it’s double the space of the other two, it still gets used by the system, so you still don’t get all of that for your games.

How Big Are Nintendo Switch Games?

This is where it gets interesting! The size of a Nintendo Switch game can be very different depending on how big and detailed the game is.

Game File Sizes

Some games are small and don’t take up a lot of space. These might be smaller, indie games or simple puzzle games. They could be as small as just a few hundred megabytes (MB), or even less! For example, some retro-style games may use very minimal storage space. These little guys are like little Lego pieces, easy to store. On the other hand, some big, sprawling games with lots of detailed graphics and complex gameplay take up a lot more space. Think of games like “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” or “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.” These can be 10GB or more. It’s like trying to store a big bouncy castle versus a small set of blocks. We need more storage for the bigger, more complex games!

Digital vs. Physical Games

It’s really important to know the difference between digital games and physical games when considering your available storage. Digital games are downloaded from the Nintendo eShop, and they take up space on your Switch’s storage. Physical games are on cartridges that you pop into your Switch, and they usually don’t take up as much space. When you play a physical game, most of its content runs directly from the cartridge, reducing the load on your system’s internal memory. There are exceptions. Some physical games have patches and updates that can take space on your system, so even these physical game owners still need to be aware of how much space they have available. If you’re buying mostly physical copies, your storage needs are going to be far less, but those digital games eat up your space! It’s a pretty important difference!

Estimating How Many Games Fit

So, with all that in mind, how many games can you actually fit? There is no one single answer because all game file sizes are different. Here’s a rough idea:

Small Games

If you are only buying small indie games, you could fit many on your Switch. If your average game is under 1 GB, you could easily fit around 20-30 of them on the original Switch or Switch Lite, and nearly double that number on the OLED model.

Medium-Sized Games

For games in the 2-5 GB range, you might be able to fit 10-15 on the original Switch and Switch Lite, while possibly 20-30 on the OLED. These are the games that make a solid library for sure!

Large Games

When you start getting into the big games that are 8GB and above, the number goes down quickly. On an original Switch or Switch Lite, you might only be able to hold 3 or 4 of these before needing additional storage. The OLED could probably manage 6 or 7 before requiring more space.

Let’s make it more clearer, here’s a table that gives a clearer picture:

Remember these are just estimates. Some games can be outliers in size, so these numbers will change. The other consideration here is also the total amount of space being occupied by updates for games. Each update will slightly impact how much space is free on your console.

Expanding Your Storage with MicroSD Cards

Don’t panic! There’s a great solution if you find your Switch running out of space: microSD cards! These tiny cards are like extra drawers for your game collection, and they make a huge difference.

Types of MicroSD Cards

You can use different sizes of microSD cards. Some good sizes that are common and work well for the Nintendo Switch include:

• 64 GB: This is a good option for people who want to add some storage but don’t need a ton.
• 128 GB: This is a great middle-of-the-road option that balances price and space. It is one of the most popular options.
• 256 GB: This is ideal for a large library of digital games.
• 512 GB or more: This is perfect for gamers who like to have tons of games downloaded at once, but this could be overkill for some users.

How to Install a MicroSD Card

Adding a microSD card is pretty simple. Here’s how to do it:

1. Turn off your Nintendo Switch.
2. Open the small kickstand on the back of your Switch.
3. Under the kickstand, you’ll see a tiny slot for a microSD card.
4. Carefully slide the microSD card into the slot.
5. Turn on your Switch, and it will be ready to use the new space.

Choosing the Right MicroSD Card

When picking a microSD card, make sure it’s compatible with the Nintendo Switch. You’ll want a UHS-I card (these are fast and work best for the Switch) and try to pick a reputable brand. There are a lot of fake cards that are sold at discounted prices that are slow, and they can have very small storage capacity that is not what they advertise.

Also, remember that you can only store games data on one microSD card at a time, meaning that if you fill up your current one you can only move games data to the new one by doing a transfer. Multiple cards can be used but you will not be able to store games data on more than one card at the same time.

Managing Your Game Library

Even with a microSD card, keeping your game library organized is useful. Here are some tips:

Archiving Games

If you’re running low on space and you haven’t played a particular game in a while, you can archive it. This doesn’t delete the game completely; it frees up space on your system, but keeps all the game data saved. When you want to play the game again, you’ll simply need to download it once again, and then you can pick up right where you left off! Think of it like putting a book away on the shelf but keeping the bookmark in place, so you can easily come back to it again.

Deleting Games

If you have a game you know you’re never going to play again, you can delete it. Just remember that doing this will erase all the save data for that game as well. If you want to play the game in the future, you’ll need to re-download the game and start a new save file. So make sure you’re absolutely done with a game before you delete it.

Game Updates and Patches

Be aware that game updates and patches also take up storage space. Over time, this can add up. If you are low on space, always check to see if there are old updates that can be uninstalled without affecting the game. Some games are big because they also have a lot of updates.

Physical Cartridges for More Space

If you are a heavy gamer who prefers to have several games downloaded, consider collecting more physical games. This allows you to play the game right off the cartridge and save your console’s memory and your microSD storage for large and/or indie titles that are only available digitally.

Figuring out how many games your Switch can hold is a balance of understanding your system’s storage, knowing how big your games are, and deciding if you want to expand your space with a microSD card. It might take a little trial and error at first, but once you get a handle on it, you’ll be a pro at managing your game library!