Nintendo Switch 2 has 256 GB of internal storage, with some reserved for system use, and supports microSD Express cards up to 2 TB for expandable storage. Game sizes vary by title: official listings range from 9 GB for Donkey Kong Bananza to 24.1 GB for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. A standard microSD card from the original Switch cannot store or load Switch 2 games.
How much storage does Nintendo Switch 2 have?
The console has 256 GB of internal storage, but Nintendo reserves some of it for system use. Nintendo does not state the exact amount available to users for game installs, so 256 GB should not be treated as entirely free space.
Extra storage is optional for playing games according to Nintendo Support’s current data-management FAQ. Nintendo says no individual game currently requires an additional card to play. Whether you need one depends on how many digital games, updates, downloadable content, screenshots, and videos you want to keep on the console at once.
How much space do Switch 2 games need?
There is no reliable single size or average to use for every game. Nintendo says requirements vary by title and advises checking the packaging or the game’s Nintendo eShop listing for its specific requirement. These official listings illustrate the range; they refer to specific editions and regions, and listing sizes may change.
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- Nintendo Switch 2 uses a new standard of expandable memory card called microSD Express (sold separately). This kind of memory card is needed for faster access speeds and to ensure games will run smoothly.
- Please note: Nintendo Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards. If the microSD cards you have used for Nintendo Switch do not support microSD Express standards, you cannot use them with Nintendo Switch 2.
| Game | Listed download size | Listing context |
|---|---|---|
| Donkey Kong Bananza | 9 GB | Nintendo US product page; the Nintendo UK listing showed 9.0 GB. |
| Mario Kart World | 22.2 GB | Nintendo Australia eShop listing. |
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition | 24.1 GB | Nintendo Canada product page. |
These figures are listed sizes, not a promise that every installed copy will remain exactly that size. Check the current regional product page or eShop entry for the edition you plan to play, particularly if updates or additional content are available. Nintendo’s download-space guidance also directs players to the relevant listing or packaging for a game’s storage requirement.
Which microSD cards work with Switch 2?
For expanded Switch 2 storage, the compatible format is microSD Express. Nintendo says Switch 2 supports microSD Express cards with capacities up to 2 TB. The card is sold separately; it is not included with the console. Nintendo explains the standard and compatibility in its microSD Express Card FAQ.
Rank #2
- NEXT GEN GAMING: Works with Nintendo Switch 2.
- READY FOR TOMORROW. Ready for future products with a PCIe-NVMe interface; performs at UHS-I speeds with microSD UHS-I and UHS-II devices.
- EXPONENTIALLY FASTER PERFORMANCE. Up to 4.4 times faster transfer speeds than our fastest microSD UHS-I cards [9]. Transfer a 2-hour HD movie in less than 3.5 seconds [1]; save up to 2.8 minutes transferring 60 minutes of 4K UHD video [4] shot at 30 fps when paired with the SanDisk PRO-READER SD Express Dual Card (sold separately) [9]
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Regular microSD cards—including the standard cards commonly used with the original Switch—cannot save or load Switch 2 games. If you already own one, it is not a substitute for a microSD Express card for Switch 2 game storage. Nintendo does provide a way to import screenshots and videos from an old Switch card to Switch 2 system memory.
What can the card store, and what happens to save data?
A microSD Express card can hold downloaded software, updates, downloadable content, screenshots, and captured videos. Nintendo says downloaded software is saved to the card by default when one is inserted, and software can be transferred between the card and system memory.
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Rank #3
- TRANSFER SPEEDS UP TO 800 MB/S: With sequential read speeds up to 800 MB/s, get into your game up to 4× faster than our standard microSD cards (UHS I)¹.
- DYNAMIC THERMAL GUARD: Keeps its cool even when the action heats up. Dynamic Thermal Guard helps reduce overheating for fast, smooth gameplay.
- ALL YOUR GAMES ON ONE TINY CARD: Store all your games and downloadable content (DLCs) with up to 512GB of reliable storage. No deleting. No compromises.
- 6-PROOF PROTECTION WITH 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY: Built to last, made for peace of mind. Anything can happen when you’re gaming on the go. With 6 types of protection²⁻⁹, the P9 Express can handle it all—helping maintain your game progress.
- NEXT-GEN AND BACKWARD COMPATIBLE: Your microSD Express card is compatible with Nintendo Switch 2¹⁰ and microSD UHS-I¹¹ devices, including tablets, drones, cameras and more.
Game save data stays in the console’s system memory, even when you play a game from a game card or microSD Express card. It cannot be copied to the card. Nintendo also says deleting downloaded software does not delete its save data.
Does a physical game avoid a large download?
Not necessarily. A Game-Key Card acts as a key to download the full game data; the full game is not stored on the card. So a physical package does not, by itself, mean the game can be played without a substantial download or enough storage space. Check the product packaging and listing for the specific release.
Rank #4
- Nintendo Switch 2 Micro SD Card; SanDisk
Should you buy a microSD Express card?
It is a convenience purchase, not a requirement for every player. Consider one if you expect to keep a large digital library or many captures installed on the console. Before buying, confirm that the product is specifically a microSD Express card and that its capacity is within Nintendo’s stated 2 TB limit.
Nintendo recommends using one card. Software spread across multiple cards cannot simply be combined by inserting them together; for an upgrade, Nintendo documents copying the data from one card to a larger card. The standard-card import option for old screenshots and videos is separate from using a card to store Switch 2 games.
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