The Nintendo Switch 2 has more storage space than its predecessor, but is it enough to house both your new and old games?
Even if you’re not planning on splurging on new games for the Nintendo Switch 2 (besides Mario Kart World of course), there’s a chance you’ll use it as your go-to console for Switch 1 games.
Aside from the fact that it’s backwards compatible, a number of Switch 1 games are greatly enhanced on Switch 2, in terms of performance and visuals, particularly ones like Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.
Before you decide to migrate your Switch 1 library to the newer console though, you’ll want to know how much storage space there is and whether it’s possible to make more.
How much storage space is on the Switch 2?
Per Nintendo’s own specs, the Switch 2 has 256GB worth of storage space. However, this isn’t entirely accurate, since a portion of that space is reserved for use by the Switch 2’s own software.
Once you also take into account the day one patch, you actually have approximately 232GB for installing games. The rest needs to be used for other Switch 2 applications, such as the Nintendo eShop and the new GameChat feature.
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That is still a lot, though, and is almost eight times more than the Switch 1’s storage space of 32GB.
Can you expand the Switch 2 storage?
Fortunately, yes, much like the Switch 1 it is possible to have additional storage space on the Switch 2 using SD cards. More specifically, microSD Express cards.
Nintendo’s own UK storefront offers two different microSD Express cards to choose from – one manufactured by Samsung and the other by SanDisk – but both of them add an extra 256GB.
Combined, that’s 488GB of space to work with, which should be more than enough for all your Switch 1 games (unless your library really is massive) plus any Switch 2 games you’ve bought at launch.
It’s worth noting that the Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards, so any other kinds of SD cards you have lying around won’t work with the console.
They’re also not particularly cheap either, with the ones on Nintendo’s store priced at £49.99. We did spot a less expensive option on Amazon for just under £40, but it’s for a 128GB card.
If an extra 256GB still isn’t enough, there are 512GB microSD Express cards for £94, but they seem to be near impossible to find at the time of writing. We’ve checked multiple retailers like Amazon, Smyths, and Argos, and they are all sold out.
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