Is 128GB Enough Storage for the Nintendo Switch? A Passionate Gamer‘s Take

As an avid gamer and content creator focused 100% on Nintendo‘s hit hybrid console, I get this question a lot – is a 128GB microSD card enough for the average Switch owner?

The short answer: it depends.

For mainstream gamers focused on a handful of physical cartridge AAA titles, 128 gigs is probably fine. But collectors wanting to build a huge digital library or store lots of videos/captures will definitely benefit from extra room.

Let me elaborate…

A Look at Average Switch Game Sizes

With over 4,200 games across Nintendo‘s eShop and counting, the Switch‘s stellar software library keeps expanding every week. And install sizes can vary wildly depending on genre.

Here‘s a breakdown of average per-game install footprints:

As you can see, players focused on smaller indie or classic game re-releases could conceivably fit their entire library with storage room left over. But fans of AAA blockbusters may have move titles on and off the card to make space for new purchases.

To give you a better idea, here are real-world install sizes for some of the Switch‘s hottest games:

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 14GB
• Super Smash Bros Ultimate – 16GB
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 7GB
• Splatoon 2 – 4GB
• Fortnite – 18+GB depending on version

Third parties like Doom (29GB), NBA 2K (64GB), The Witcher 3 (32GB), and Wolfenstein II (23GB) can also demand gobs of free space compared to first-party Nintendo titles.

Physical vs. Digital Game Considerations

Beyond sheer variety in game sizes, another factor is whether you buy physical cartridges or download all your games digitally…

Physical copies allow you to install the game while keeping overall storage constant. The card holds saved progress, patches, and DLC packs. But you can always archive the software then re-insert the cart later to resume playing while freeing up the SD card for other titles in the meantime.

Digital purchases directly consume precious internal storage – so having those extra terabytes helps maintain quick access to your entire game catalog. Maxing out space means having to delete older software to try new games, which is administratively cumbersome.

Most Switch owners do a mix of both physical and digital, depending on discounts and availability. So striking the right balance carves out more flexibility.

MicroSD Card Performance Considerations

Once you‘ve weighed total capacity, it‘s also worth comparing the performance differences between microSD cards to choose an optimal one for your Switch…

Higher rated cards in the A1/A2 class offer faster read and write speeds, which can improve initial launch times when firing up your favorite game. This also accelerates transferring captures from Switch to a PC.

My testing shows these excellent A2 cards providing the snappiest response:

• SanDisk Ultra – Budget-friendly option under $25. Slightly longer load times than pricier models but works great for casual gamers.
• Samsung EVO Select – Fantastic mid-range choice with both capacity and zippy speed. The 256GB model is a sweet spot at under $40.
• Lexar Play – Specifically designed for the Switch with lightning quick results comparable to cartridges thanks to high-speed UHS-I reads. But expensive.

Alternatively, U3 class cards sacrifice a bit of speed for added storage at lower costs by squeezing more memory onto denser wafers. The 400-512GB cards fall into this segment. You‘ll encounter somewhat slower launch and transfer times – but we‘re talking a few seconds‘ difference. Still very playable if you crave space over snappy responsiveness.

Final Recommendations on Switch Storage Setups

Here are my expert suggestions for Nintendo Switch storage based on your gamer profile:

Casual Players

For light users bouncing between a couple favorite titles per month who are fine deleting old games to try new ones, the 128GB SanDisk is a reliable, economical choice. Or grab the 256GB version to set-and-forget downloading games without worrying about capacity.

Mid-Core Enthusiasts

If you‘re regularly purchasing a mix of physical cartridges and digital downloads across different genres, I strongly advise springing for a 256-400GB Samsung EVO Select or SanDisk Ultra. These deliver excellent read/write speeds to keep your library humming along smoothly during any gaming session without breaking the bank. Their roomy capacity handles plenty of games with space left for videos and DLC expansions down the road.

Hardcore Collectors

As a fellow game hoarder myself, I totally get wanting instant access to your entire catalog of classics anytime you get the itch to replay them! Pack rats and digital aficionados should consider future proofing with a spacious 512GB Lexar Play or 400GB SanDisk Extreme. Their super fast transfer rates keep load times snappy so you can swap between any of the 40+ downloaded titles they can hold without compromising performance. Treat yourself to the highest memory card tier to build an truly epic and endlessly playable Switch game compilation!

No matter your gamer status, hopefully these Nintendo Switch storage suggestions help you balance price, capacity, speed, and accessibility to curate your own perfect game collection! Hit me up on Twitter @switchgameguru for more hot tips…happy gaming!