Nintendo Switch’s Largest File Size Games
The Nintendo Switch offers players the flexibility to game at home or on-the-go. However, some of the most visually impressive Switch titles come at the cost of massive file sizes that eat up precious internal storage space. This definitive guide covers the Switch games pushing the upper limits of storage requirements. We’ve researched and compiled key technical specifications to showcase the titles demanding extra memory.
The base Nintendo Switch model boasts 32GB of internal storage, while newer iterations offer 64GB or even 128GB. While seemingly generous, game file sizes can vary significantly. AAA titles often demand sizable chunks of space, while indie games tend to be more lightweight.
Review this list before making any major downloads to ensure your micro SD card can handle the strain!
| Game | Genre | File Size | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBA 2K23 | Sports | 55.6 GB | The latest entry in the basketball simulator franchise pushes technical boundaries with enhanced graphics and physics. Extremely demanding in docked 4K mode. |
| The Witcher 3 | RPG | 39.3 GB | Includes all expansions for the sprawling open world adventure featuring hundreds of hours of quests, gear to craft, and monster hunting contracts. |
| DOOM Slayers Collection | FPS | 32.3 GB | Packs in 7 DOOM games in one bundle, including the 2016 reboot. Lightning fast demon destruction carrying this iconic series’ legacy forward. |
| Mortal Kombat 11 | Fighting | 32.5 GB | Photo-realistic graphics and spine-ripping X-ray special moves give this controversial entry impressive visual slam dunks. |
| Resident Evil Revelations 2 | Horror | 23.7 GB | Gorgeous lighting effects and creepy enemy encounters make this underrated survival horror sequel a nerve-wracking showcase of the RE engine. |
| The Outer Worlds | RPG | 21.5 GB | Character choices and nonlinear quests let you carve your own path across Halcyon in this sci-fi epic from Fallout: New Vegas’ creators. |
| Spyro Reignited Trilogy | Platformer | 21 GB | Updated soundtrack and polished visuals breathe fiery new life into the wings of this beloved purple dragon’s adventures through 90+ levels. |
More Storage Heavy Hitters
Beyond the top games already covered, the Switch hosts numerous other titles pushing the boundaries of file size limits:
Shooters
| Game | File Size | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Apex Legends | 24.3 GB | This free-to-play battle Royale packs unique playable characters with active abilities and an emphasis on fluid movement for intense firefights across sprawling maps. |
| L.A. Noire | 27.5 GB | Experience 1940’s Los Angeles as detective Cole Phelps through brilliant facial capture acting and investigations into grizzly crimes. Interrogations play out dynamically based on evidence found. |
| GTA Trilogy | 22.7 GB | This bundle lets players relive PS2 classics GTA 3,GTA V ,Vice City, and San Andreas with improved visuals and quality of life enhancements. Over 80 hours of open world mayhem! |
RPGs & Action
| Game | File Size | Details |
|---|---|---|
| South Park: The Fractured But Whole | 20.1 GB | Hilarious superhero misadventures continue in this sequel RPG bringing fan favorite South Park characters to life in grid-based combat. Craft your hero’s backstory! |
| MLB The Show 22 | 19.9 GB | Authentic baseball action comes alive with stellar player/stadium modeling and deep management options to guide a franchise to glory. Dynamic day/night lighting shows attention to detail. |
| Monster Hunter Rise | 19.8 GB | Slay larger than life beasts using masterful combat systems rewarding preparation and quick reflexes. Traverse maps with grappling hooks and animal companions for an advantage. |
| Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice | 18.4 GB | This visually jaw dropping journey sees a Celtic warrior battle inner demons on her quest to rescue her lover’s soul from Viking hell. Features uncapped frame rates and dynamic resolution. |
Strategy
| Game | File Size | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Emblem Engage | 16.6 GB | Tactical grid-based warfare gets a visual face lift. High production value supports the journey to save the land of Elyos amidst relationships blossoming across a sizable cast of characters with personalized combat capabilities. |
Storage limitations remain challenging, but the Switch continues to offer outstanding handheld. And console caliber experiences if you can make space!
Storage requirements have ballooned over the past decade as franchises like The Legend of Zelda have evolved radically in scope. Breath of the Wild dwarfs its NES predecessors at 13.4GB – over 100,000 times larger than the original!
Developers balance visual fidelity, physics, AI complexity, and content density to push hardware to the limits. NBA 2K23 steals the title of the Switch’s most storage intensive game, edging out The Witcher 3.
A Spectrum of Switch Game Sizes
The Switch game library encompasses a spectrum of file sizes. Here’s a general breakdown:
Under 5GB: Indie gems, retro titles, and smaller multiplayer games often fall within this range.
5GB – 15GB: This is a common zone for popular first-party titles like Mario Kart or mid-tier third-party games.
Over 15GB: Bigger adventures with expansive worlds or online functionality tend to reside here. Some examples include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and NBA 2K21 (beware, this particular game pushes the upper limits!).
Why File Size Matters
Beyond just occupying storage real estate, large game file sizes have additional drawbacks:
- Longer download times – Larger games can take hours to download fully. This especially holds true for players without fast, stable internet connections.
- MicroSD card costs – Big games necessitate buying cards with higher capacities to supplement the Switch’s internal storage. High capacity cards 256GB+ cost over $100+.
- Performance risks – The Switch hardware can struggle with especially demanding games leading to framerate dips, longer load times, or crashes.
Carefully evaluate whether these downsides outweigh your interest when purchasing and downloading particularly massive titles.
Tips For Managing Size
If you wish to play these storage heavy hitters, utilize these tips to amplify your Switch’s available capacity:
- Invest in the largest micro SD your budget comfortably allows – 128GB cards offer a balance of cost and space.
- Delete software data for any games you are not actively playing to free up instant capacity. You can download this data later as needed.
- Archive unused software via system settings instead of deleting to retain patches/updates for fast installation.
- Upgrade to a Switch with OLED model – While cost prohibitive for many. But it includes doubled 64GB internal storage for more sizable game libraries.
- Delete old save data from retired games you’ll likely never replay to scrape back every free megabyte.
Grappling with storage limitations is an unfortunate consequence amidst the console’s flexibility and wealth of high quality software. Weigh your options carefully – bigger is not always better!
Can I See the File Size of a Physical Game?
No, physical game cartridges don’t require additional downloads and their storage footprint is negligible.
How do I manage my Switch’s storage?
In the System Settings menu, you’ll find a “Storage” option that details storage usage and allows you to manage game data.
What if I run out of space?
You can either archive games (which removes them from the system but keeps save data) or delete them entirely to free up space.
By understanding file sizes and employing strategic storage management, you can ensure your Nintendo Switch remains a well-stocked haven for your favorite games.