I am going back and forth on whether to purchase certain games in cartridge format or through the eShop. Some of the games have already been released like Code of Princess, Epic Mickey, Paper Mario, Scribblenauts. But more concerning to me are upcoming games. A game like Fire Emblem is usually an automatic pre-order for me, but if the file size is reasonable, I'd like to download it. I feel like this is something Nintendo should be more transparent about so consumers can make informed decisions about their game purchases. Does anyone have any insight into this issue?

Fire Emblem is 2GB, in Japan at least...

I live in Europe and I purchased Mario Kart 7 digitally from the eShop. The other day I checked my SD Card (via Card Reader) and found out that the folder for the game was exactly 638 MB. I read somewhere that in NA, it is actually 1 GB or slightly over that. There must be EU/NA File size differences (like with multiple language translations and stuff.)

why does the filesize even matter?
sd-cards are so cheap nowadays.

the real problem is that eshop downloads are 5€ more than games on cartridge (at least here in germany)

Yeah, I agree with that. Mine is a 16 gb SDHC - Class 10 which I got for 21 euros (with 20% VAT included).
On the second matter, I've seen the eShop game card downloads to be the exact same price as the cartridges in my country (which is 45 euros for a high-quality game like Super Mario 3D Land for example). It should be less actually. Like -5€ if we want justice. But Nintendo doesn't seem to care. : )

well here in germany you can get games like super mario 3D land in stores for 39,99€ (right at release) and the eshop download costs 44,99€ (even after months there aren't pricecuts in the eshop).
dafuq?

i also have a 16gb sd-card. but it's micro and class 6 i think. very cheap for like 12 or 14 €

Count me in the 16GB card persons! and it is cheaper in some countries the SD cards but at least here in Mexico, they are highly valued and are so easy to buy a fake one by mistake

I have a 32 GB card, but space is still a premium, and if you have 4 2 GB games, that's 1/4 of my space, so it is important.

I've noticed files sizes are smaller then the eShop Clames which is good IMO