The number of games the Nintendo Switch can hold depends on the size of each game and the available storage, either on the console itself or an added microSD card.
Ever wondered how many games can the Nintendo Switch hold? It’s a question that pops up for every Switch owner, especially with so many great titles available. The console has a limited internal storage, which fills up fast.
Adding a microSD card dramatically increases your storage capacity. This means you can download many more games without worrying about deleting existing ones. The size of each game varies, so a larger game library will require more space.
How Many Games Can the Nintendo Switch Hold?
So, you’ve got a Nintendo Switch, and you’re ready to dive into a world of awesome games. But a thought might pop into your head: how many games can this thing actually hold? It’s a great question, and the answer isn’t as simple as a single number. It depends on a few things, including which Switch you have and how you choose to store your games. Let’s explore the details.
Understanding Nintendo Switch Storage
First, let’s talk about the different types of storage your Nintendo Switch uses. There are two main ways games are stored: physical game cards and digital downloads.
Physical Game Cards
These are those little cartridges that you pop into your Switch. They’re pretty cool because they don’t take up space on your console itself! When you use a game card, the game is played directly from the card, not from your Switch’s internal storage. Think of them like a book – the book isn’t in your library, it is the library for that particular game. So, when you’re using a physical game card, it doesn’t impact the storage capacity of your switch.
Digital Downloads
Digital games are the ones you buy from the Nintendo eShop and then download directly onto your Switch. These games do take up space on your Switch’s internal storage. Think of it like storing a photo or a movie on your phone; it uses the phone’s available memory. The size of each digital game varies quite a bit, so one might be really small and another really big. For example, an indie game might be small in file size, while a big action game like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will require quite a lot of storage space.
The Nintendo Switch’s Internal Storage
Now, let’s talk about the actual storage space in your Switch console. It’s not huge, and this is where you need to pay attention.
Nintendo Switch (Original and OLED Model)
The original Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch OLED come with 32GB of internal storage. But here’s the thing: not all 32GB is actually available to you. A chunk of that space is taken up by the system’s software – the stuff that makes the Switch run smoothly. So, you’re left with roughly 25-26GB of usable space for your digital games. This usable space is also shared with your screenshots and videos.
Even though 25–26 GB of space is available, you might need to free up storage. For example, if you save a lot of videos or take a lot of screenshots, then that can take up a lot of storage, and you will not be able to install all your digital games, and you need to make space by deleting some of your content.
Nintendo Switch Lite
The Nintendo Switch Lite also has 32GB of internal storage, with a similar amount (around 25-26GB) available for your digital games, as the system files also take up storage space. This is because the Nintendo Switch Lite is similar to the normal one in terms of tech specs but just the size is different. It’s also a handheld-only device.
Why Storage Space Fills Up Quickly
So why do we find the internal storage of the Nintendo Switch can fill up so quickly, and why do we need to know how many games we can store?
- Big Games: As we mentioned earlier, some games are huge. A big game can easily be 10-20GB or even more, leaving you with very little space after downloading just one or two big games.
- Smaller Games Add Up: Even smaller games, those that seem like they are only a few GB in size, will quickly add up, and you’ll be surprised at how much storage space you’ve used.
- Game Updates: Games often get updates, these updates also take up space on your Nintendo Switch, so your saved digital games are taking up more space over time.
- Save Data: Even if you delete a game, the save data might still be there which can also take up space, but this is usually not very large.
Expanding Your Storage with MicroSD Cards
The good news is, you can expand your Switch’s storage very easily! Both the original Nintendo Switch, the Switch OLED, and the Switch Lite, all have a slot for a microSD card. This little card can drastically increase the number of games your Switch can hold. Think of it like adding an extra storage box to your library so you can hold more books.
Types of MicroSD Cards
There are different types of microSD cards that you can use with your Nintendo Switch, so you need to buy one that can be used with your device. Here’s what you need to know:
- SDHC Cards: These cards range in size from 4GB to 32GB. These are the older standard, and you’ll want to go for the larger sizes as they are better for modern games.
- SDXC Cards: These cards range from 64GB to 2TB and are often the better option because of the bigger storage size, and they are also relatively affordable.
- UHS-I Compatibility: Make sure the card is UHS-I compatible. This makes sure the games load fast enough on your Switch.
Recommended MicroSD Card Sizes
So what size should you buy? There is no set answer as it depends on your usage. But, Here are some general recommendations:
- 64GB: If you mostly buy physical games and rarely download from the eShop, this might work for you.
- 128GB: A better choice if you download some games but still buy quite a few physical game cartridges. This one provides good storage capacity without breaking the bank.
- 256GB: If you like to download most of your games and enjoy taking lots of screenshots and videos, this will give you a decent amount of storage space.
- 512GB or 1TB: If you have a large digital library and do not want to worry about storage space, then going for a large sized SD card such as 512GB or 1TB will be a great option.
As you can see there are many options, so it really depends on your usage. So if you prefer using digital games and buying many, then going for the higher storage space SD cards is a great option. But if you prefer using physical game cards, then going for 128GB might be the best one for you.
Here’s a little table to sum up the different storage options and some approximate game count estimates (remember, sizes vary):
| Storage Type | Approx. Usable Space | Approx. Number of Small Games | Approx. Number of Large Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 25-26GB | 10-20 | 2-5 |
| 64GB MicroSD | ~58GB | 25-50 | 5-10 |
| 128GB MicroSD | ~116GB | 50-100 | 10-20 |
| 256GB MicroSD | ~232GB | 100-200 | 20-40 |
| 512GB MicroSD | ~465GB | 200-400 | 40-80 |
| 1TB MicroSD | ~930GB | 400-800+ | 80-160+ |
Note: The number of games is just an estimate, and it varies depending on the size of your game files.
Managing Your Game Library
Even with extra storage, it’s a good idea to manage your game library. This helps to keep your Switch organized, and it can help you to save more games. Here are some tips:
- Archive Games You’re Not Playing: If you’re not playing a digital game for a while, you can archive it. This removes the game from your Switch but keeps the save data. You can re-download it later from the eShop when you want to play.
- Delete Unnecessary Screenshots and Videos: Screenshots and videos can take up a lot of space, so delete the ones you don’t need. You can also back them up to a computer or a cloud service.
- Use Physical Game Cards Where Possible: If you’re trying to save storage space, buying physical game cards is a good strategy, as it does not take up space on your console.
How Many Games Can You Practically Store?
So, let’s get to a realistic number. There is not one answer to the question of how many games can a nintendo switch hold, as it depends on a few factors. With a 32GB system, you can probably hold a few larger games, or many small games. But, adding a microSD card gives you a lot more wiggle room. Here are some practical estimations based on typical game file sizes:
Without a MicroSD Card
On a 32GB system with no extra storage, you could comfortably store:
- 2-5 Large games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, or Super Smash Bros Ultimate.
- 10-20 smaller indie or retro titles.
It’s a bit limited, but perfect if you mainly play games using physical game cards.
With a 128GB MicroSD Card
If you add a 128GB MicroSD card, your storage jumps to around 140GB total.
- 10-20 Large games.
- Up to 50 or more smaller indie and retro games.
- You can take lot of screenshots and video footage.
With a 256GB MicroSD Card
If you add a 256GB MicroSD card, the number of games you can store increases significantly.
- 20-40 Large games.
- 100+ smaller indie and retro titles.
- Plenty of space for videos and images
With a 512GB or 1TB MicroSD Card
With a 512GB or 1TB MicroSD card, you will be able to keep all your favorite games with you.
- 40-160+ large games
- Many hundreds of smaller games
- Plenty of space for all your screenshots and videos without worrying about space.
The exact number will fluctuate depending on game size, but you have ample space for a very large collection.
Choosing Your Storage Solution
So, how should you choose your storage solution? Consider these factors:
- How often you buy digital games. If you mainly play games using physical game cards, you may not need a huge microSD card.
- What kind of games you play. Big, AAA titles take up a lot more space than indie games.
- Whether you want to keep a variety of games installed at once. If so, you should consider getting a larger storage option.
- How much you are willing to spend on the SD card. Depending on your budget you will want to pick the best option for you.
In conclusion, while the Nintendo Switch’s internal storage is limited, it is easily expandable with a microSD card. Choosing the right size depends on how you play and how many games you want to keep readily available on your device. Understanding your gaming habits will help you make the best decision about storage. Now that you have a better understanding, go ahead and get the right storage for your needs and go play those awesome Switch games!
Why everyone buys multiple Nintendo Switch consoles
Final Thoughts
The number of games a Nintendo Switch can hold depends greatly on storage. The base console has 32GB, the OLED model offers 64GB, and you can add microSD cards for more space. Many newer games, particularly large AAA titles, take up significant storage, so a 128GB or 256GB microSD card is useful for game library.
With a 32GB internal storage, you might hold around 5-10 smaller games. Larger games can quickly fill that space. It is good to estimate how many games can the nintendo switch hold with these details to help with your storage needs.
