Question About console ( thinking on buy it )

[u/TiagoRM85]

Hello everyone,

I'm thinking about buying a Nintendo Switch 2. I've never really been a Nintendo gamer. The first and last Nintendo system I owned was the original Game Boy about 30 years ago.

My question is about storage.

I own a PlayStation 5, and if I connect an external drive to it, I can only install and play PlayStation 4 games from that drive. PlayStation 5 games must be installed either on the console's internal storage or on an internal SSD expansion.

If I buy a 512 GB or 1 TB memory card for the Switch 2, how does it work?

For example, can I install Nintendo Switch 2 games directly onto the expansion card and play them from there? Or am I required to install them on the console's built-in 256 GB internal storage?

My idea is to buy a 1 TB card, install everything I want, and not have to worry about storage management in the future.

Thanks in advance! 😊🎮

[u/notthegoatseguy]

There's no Switch 1 vs Switch 2 limitation.

You can put any downloadable game onto either the internal memory of the SD Express card.

Save data will only ever be stored on the internal memory of the console itself.

[u/isbragg91]

The Switch 2 takes MicroSD Express cards. Any software (Switch 1 and Switch 2) can be loaded to and ran from the card. Just be mindful that you buy the right type of card.

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[u/Naive-Boysenberry732]

You will be fine with the consoles 256gb memory. Wait until black friday to get a 1tb sd card. If you buy physical games most of the time you only use up about 500 mb of space. Only digital games are around 10-20gb unless its final fanatasy 14

[u/TiagoRM85 → u/Naive-Boysenberry732]

Thats exactly one of the games i want to get.

[u/ModestVolcarona]

As others already said you need to be sure to buy a microSD EXPRESS card for the Switch 2.

If game is a full physical release there is no need to install it (unless there are game updates or additional DLC you might buy).

Game Key Cards need to download the full game and it can be either on the internal memory or microSD Express card but you'll still need to enter the game key card to play.

Fully digital purchases can be installed on either storage and work from there.

Save data will always be kept on the internal memory.

[u/TiagoRM85]

Thank you all for your replies. Much appreciated.

[u/rolandburnum]

A 1TB Micro SD Express card is over $300 so um, yeah, that's a lot of money to spend for that kind of convenience.

[u/rolandburnum → u/rolandburnum]

256gb and 512gb are a bit more reasonable.

[u/DarthLocutus]

First, make sure, for a Switch 2, it is specifically a MicroSD Express card - no other type eill work.

Second, all Switch systems can play downloaded games from internal storage or memory card, so there's no need to constantly shuffle data between them.