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Some Nintendo Switch digital downloads will force you to buy memory cards out of the gate

Some of Nintendo's upcoming gaming titles for the Switch will force users to rely on microSD storage expansion cards from the get go. That's because the console only has 32GB of internal storage.

The Nintendo Switch will be officially launched at the start of next month, but with every passing day we’re learning extra tidbits about the newest console contender. We’ve seen leaked menus, unboxings of stolen merchandise, and details about the Switch’s specs, and now we get an idea of what the console’s games will be like in terms of storage needs.

According to Nintendo’s own site, many of the games coming to the console will occupy a significant chunk of the device’s memory. Given the Switch only comes with 32GB of storage this will no doubt be a problem, even if the company launches the titles on “game cards”. According to official stats, digital downloads of games will require a minimum of:

  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 13.4GB
  • Puyo Puyo Tetris 1.09GB
  • I Am Setsuna 1.40GB
  • Nobunaga’s Ambition 5GB
  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 7GB
  • Snipperclips 1.60GB
  • Dragon Quest Heroes I·II 32GB (SD card required)

Luckily, the Switch supports SD card expansion, giving users the option to significantly bump up their native storage. Indeed, as you can see from the list above, memory expansion cards will be required for certain titles.

This decision by Nintendo will likely force users to rely on SD cards or on the company’s own game cards, which might be a more convenient option instead of digital downloads for this particular console.

Source: Nintendo (Japanese) via NeoGAF

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