Switch 2 File Sizes Aren’t That Bad (Yet)

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Upon the unveiling of the Switch 2, fans harbored concerns about Nintendo adopting unfavorable business strategies observed in other publishing companies. To some extent, these apprehensions were validated when the prices of games were disclosed, marking one of the initial instances of $80 titles in contemporary gaming. However, it appears that Nintendo is being more lenient with storage, as game file sizes are not particularly large.

Not yet, anyway.

On a fresh Nintendo system, the file sizes for certain first-party games aren’t too large. For instance, Mario Kart World takes up only 23.4 GB, which is quite small when you consider the game sizes we’ve seen on PS5 and Xbox Series consoles. Similarly, Donkey Kong Bananza, with its stunning graphics, requires just 10 GB of storage space – a relatively insignificant amount considering the new hardware it makes use of.

As a dedicated fan, I’d like to point out that the games I’m excited about for the upcoming Switch 2 are primarily developed by none other than Nintendo themselves, rather than third-party developers. Excitingly, CD Projekt Red has confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077 will take advantage of the entire 64 GB game card, which is a significant storage space. Similarly, Street Fighter 6 clocks in at around 60 GB on Steam Deck, so I’m anticipating a similar or even larger size for Nintendo’s new system.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve found myself grappling with a significant challenge lately: the growing sizes of game files. Titans like Call of Duty and Mortal Kombat are gobbling up over 100 GB each, while Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 hover around this massive mark, with the latter requiring a double disc on Sony’s PlayStation 5. It’s hard to believe that Mario Kart World isn’t following suit, even if it were to demand a more manageable 50 GB or so.

While current Nintendo Switch games aren’t excessively large, they could potentially grow larger in the future. With the upcoming open-world Zelda game and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on the horizon, we anticipate file sizes exceeding 20 GB, possibly even reaching hundreds of gigabytes. However, as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has yet to disclose its file size, let’s hope for a smaller one considering it’s still in development for the Switch.

The upcoming handheld device from Nintendo will exclusively support microSD cards, which could cause inconvenience for users. While this decision ensures optimal performance of games on their hybrid console, it doesn’t alleviate the fact that these SD cards can be pricey. Unfortunately, this limitation puts Nintendo at a disadvantage compared to Valve’s Steam Deck, as the latter can still function with standard SD cards, and its capabilities are comparable to Nintendo’s latest gadget.

As a devoted Nintendo enthusiast, I’m crossing my fingers that Nintendo sticks with the 20 GB to 50 GB range for Switch 2 games. After all, they’re the ones who revived cartridges, and it would be disheartening to see one of their masterpieces in a game-key card format. While these items can be reused multiple times, it’s not a promising sign for the preservation of future gaming experiences.

As an excited enthusiast, I can’t help but wonder how large future Nintendo Switch 2 games might become. If the upcoming Zelda title surpasses the 100GB mark, it could potentially push the boundaries of manageable file sizes for this beloved system. Only time will tell!

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2025-04-10 12:42