How big are Nintendo Switch games?

Putting the Nintendo Switch game size into perspective

And there you are, standing in front of the electronics section with a Nintendo Switch in your grasp. Feeling the excitement humming through your fingertips as the world of epic games looms large ahead of you. It's a feeling I know all too well, being passionate about gaming myself. But, if you're like me, then the question lingering in the back of your mind might be - "How big really are these Nintendo Switch games?". Well, let's find out together, shall we?

A quick heads up, by 'big' we're not referring to the size of the game cartridges, which more often than not, find themselves lost in the crevices of my couch. Instead, we're talking storage size. I mean, does buying Zelda mean bidding adieu to downloading any other game? The answer is a resounding no.

On average, you'll find that Nintendo Switch games range from 1 to 15 gigabytes (GB) in size. Of course, the size largely varies with the type and complexity of the game. For instance, a lighter, 'pick up and play' style game such as 'Snipperclips' is around 1.60 GB, while a game with massive depth and graphics like 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' comes in at approximately 13.4 GB. The game that currently holds the crown for the biggest is 'Dragon Quest Heroes I & II' sitting at a hefty 32 GB!

Balancing between game size and storage

Concerned about filling up your console's storage space too quickly? Well, you’re in good company. As a rule, I tend to be guarded about how much storage space I allocate to a game. You bet I go around asking, "Do I really need another island in 'Animal Crossing'? Or should I save up for Mario's latest adventures?"

Ironically, my wife, Matilda, who claims not to know much about tech (not that I believe her), was the one who gave me the perfect solution - external storage. And boy, did that revolutionize my gaming experience. It was like a Eureka moment! Imagine this - a universe of gaming prowess packed in a teeny-tiny SD card. Guess what, folks, you too can boost your console's storage capacity with micro SD cards, available in sizes all the way up to 2 terabytes. So pack up 'Splatoon 2', download 'Super Mario Odyssey', and keep 'Just Dance' on standby for those fun Friday night parties!

How to maintain your storage space

Nintendo Switch is like a good plate of spaghetti - the more you dig in, the more tangled you get! Trust me, I've been there. But a bit of housekeeping and maintenance can keep you from getting into the undeniably infuriating 'insufficient storage' zone. Trust me, few things make my heart sink more than having to pause a gaming session because of storage issues!

First and foremost, consider deleting games that you don't play anymore. I can say with absolute certainty that you will barely miss them. No, really, I challenged myself to let go of 'Fortnite', and I'm still alive to tell the tale. Also, remember that deleting a game does not mean losing your progress. Your save data is stored separately, so when nostalgia hits and you want to revisit a deleted game, your progress will be right there where you left it. Phew!

Another neat trick is to archive software. It's like deleting a game, but with an extra step. Archived games appear on your home screen with a little cloud next to them. To play these games, you will need to download them again but hey, it’s all about making space for the new, right?

Takeaways: Size doesn't always matter

Remember, just because a game is bigger in size doesn't always make it better. Matilda doesn't always appreciate this analogy, but I compare game sizes to the portions we get at our local burger joint - the super-sized burgers are awesome, but sometimes all you want is the classic cheeseburger, you know what I mean?

The same goes for video games. I've had as much fun dodging barrels with Donkey Kong in the reliably compact ‘Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze' as I have scaling the expansive lands in ‘Breath of the Wild’. The important thing is that you have enough room in your Nintendo Switch to accommodate your gaming preferences. So prune your game collection wisely and let the joy of Switch gaming take over.

Before I cap this off, I'd like to share this - the industry has taken massive strides towards optimizing game codes to make them as storage-friendly as possible, without losing out on their gameplay richness. Recent titles have managed to pack in stunning visuals and immersive narratives into remarkably compact sizes. Shocking, isn't it?

Oh, and remember when I mentioned a story from my life? Luckily, I managed to avoid disaster, and my tale serves as a handy reminder – always make sure your cartridges are safely tucked away before any ‘house cleaning’ sessions. Or else, be prepared for the horrors of a vacuum cleaner noise followed by an ominous crunch. Ah, the perils of gaming!

While I'm still mourning the 'Super Smash Bros. Ultimate' cartridge that fell prey to the vacuum cleaner, I hope you've found this guide helpful. Remember, gaming, like life, is not about how much space you have, but how you choose to fill it. Happy gaming!