Topic: Nintendo switch game cards

I was looking online and articles were showing that the Nintendo switch game cards would last only for 20 years than most also said it could last for 40 years.

I was wondering how can I try to prolong the switch game cards to keep them as long as possible. I would like to keep them for more than 20 years.

What should I do?

Most of my switch games were brought since 2018 (brought brand new) which means they have 16 more years before I won't be able to play it.

@Tay205 I would think micro SD cards & usb drives probably have similar projected life expectancy? Ideal conditions for long life: keeping them in a consistent environmental conditions, avoiding extreme temperture & humidity, don't leave them in the sun. (the same ideal condtions for electronics in general, tvs, computers, etc) That's my guess.

I bet they throw pretty good indoors, if you put some spin on them. Forgive this childish last bit.

@Tay205

I'd qualify that as an unwarranted anxiety.

Cartridges made for retro consoles are still playable today. There's no reason to believe Switch cartridges will be any different. Matter of fact Switch cartridges might have more longevity considering games are saved to the Switch's on-board system memory rather than on a battery within the cartridge. Just keep the games in a dry place and they should be good for your entire life.

I'd be more concerned about those physical games that require severe post-patching (L.A. Noire, Wolfenstein II, etc.) where a patch is required to simply play the game. The Switch servers won't be available forever. Eventually those games truly will be nothing more than paperweights.

@Tay205 In line with Magician, I think for legal reasons, they could be low-balling the projected lifespan of Switch game cards.

The projection may also be based on constant use for the duration of that lifespan, while consumers may only have it in their console for a fraction of that time. I'm just speculating, though.

@Magician just out of curiosity what retro consoles are you talking about? Trying to figure that out online is hard

@Tay205

I was referring to NES specifically, since that was the first time I recall batteries being used to save progress in games.

@Magician oh I guess they were launches in 1981 which means they are 39 years old and I guess the NES games are still working?

@Magician do you think if I played a physical game for like 2 times per year do you think the same game cartridge can Last longer than 20 years?

I read an article I can't remember what article stating that the switch cartridges are estimated to last only for 20 years but with a bit of luck can last for 40-50 years.

I been thinking about this every since I made this post and it is really concerning because I Have 60 physical games and 2 switch consoles and I just would like to have them for a long time.

I am 24 years old and love to have them longer like how the nes is. I am hoping to have them past 50 years old hoping my switch consoles can last that long.

I heard that ds and 3ds can last 20-50 years and I am like if ds and 3ds can last 20-50 years and 1 article is saying a switch physical game can only last 20 years that's confusing to me.

I love my switch and all the games on it and I want to make sure I can keep them for a while

Do you think switch game cards can last for 20-50 years if it's played once or twice a year?

@Tay205

As I said before, as long as you keep them dry (to avoid corrosion) they'll last for as long as you live.

@Magician on the post you replied few weeks ago

You also said: The switch servers won't be available forever. Eventually those games will be nothing more than paperweights.

And that confused me because you said above that part that they will last for my entire life. So it confused me.

Hopefully they will last longer than the 20 years that the article claimed

@Tay205 Unfortunately the answer you're looking for isn't as clear and easy as "yes or no" as you'd like it to be.

The cartridges lasting forever isn't a concern. Because if you care for them, they will last forever. However, their usefulness is questionable. Some games require updates, some don't. Those games that require significant updates will see their usefulness end...someday. They'll last for a while, at least as long as Nintendo are in business, but not forever.

@Magician I got: Zelda skyward sword HD, Zelda Breath of the wild, Zelda links awakening, hyrule warriors age of calamity, animal crossing, Mario golf super rush, super Mario oddessy, super Mario 3d world, Mario kart 8 deluxe, Mario maker, Mario and sonic Olympics, paper Mario, Mario plus rabbids Kingdom battle, super Mario bro s u deluxe, Mario tennis aces, super smash bros, super Mario party, super Mario party super stars, captain toad, yoshis crafted world, Luigi mansion 3, monopoly, splatoon 2, Golf 2k21, NBA 2k21, snipperclips plus, donkey Kong tropical freeze, club house games, arms, Lego Jurassic world, lego incredible s, lego worlds, lego marvel super heroes, lego marvel super heroes 2, marvel ultimate alliance 3, star wars republic commando combo, star wars pinball, carnival games, party arcade, Rapala Pro series, Lengendary Fishing, Nascar Heat, Gear club unlimited 2, need for speed, cars 3, monster Supercross, instant sports super games, instant sports tennis, sports party, go vocations, minecraft, game builder garage, American Ninja Worriors, ring fit adventure, wheel of fortune/Jeopardy, power rangers, sonic colors ultimate, sonic racing/sonic Maia, Olympic games Tokyo 2020.

So total: 60 physical games.

I do keep all these games in 1 carrying case

Hopefully none of these games will stop working the next 20 years.

The only game that may stop working may be super smash bros but hopefully not

@Tay205 Nice collection. I think the only questionable cartridges would be NBA 2k21 and Need for Speed. I believe a significant portion of those games were downloads.

NFL 2k21? I think that's a tiny error on your part. The NFL 2k series hasn't existed for almost two decades, lol.

@Magician sorry it's 2k21 I think golf game

@Magician : Software updates can be preserved so long as one has a back-up Switch console with the updates as well, as they can be shared wirelessly between consoles (without an internet connection, unlike transferring save data, which for some reason requires an internet connection), so there is some consolation in that.

I doubt that there is any such mechanism in place for the Switch's disc-based rivals though.

Not Nintendo Switch games but I have DDR 3rd Mix PS1 with like new condition and still working on my PS2 Slim even the game is already 22 years old (DDR 3rd Mix PS1 version has been released on year 2000).

Perhaps the main issue affecting optical discs is disc rot (which results from chemical deterioration and may be unavoidable). About 2 years ago (or early last year), I bought an extra set of The Simpsons Season 8 on DVD because disc 4 had disc rot. The sad irony is that I had probably only ever used that disc once or twice since buying it at launch circa late 2006, and there was not a single scratch on it.

Now, I haven't exhaustively checked out all of my DVDs/Blu-rays to see which, if any, have also deteriorated over the years, but I'm hoping that the rest of my collection is unaffected, at least until they have been backed up (whenever I can be bothered one of these days).

I have also recently backed up almost all of my audio CDs, some of which date back to the mid-late 90s (some with a lot of scratches too), and I haven't had any problems with them, thankfully. I also bought a rare CD from the 80s (used) via eBay, which I'm pretty sure hasn't had a reprint since the late 80s, or the early 90s at the very latest, and it was in pristine condition.

I realise that nothing is forever, but I am far more optimistic about the longevity of my physical media than the alternative, and I probably should get around to backing up all of my DVDs and Blu-rays as well.

I would actually consider going digital if we could get the same (if not better) quality as optical media and without DRM, but until such a day arrives (and that may never come) I'll stick with physical.

I think in 20 years, if my physical games won’t work I will be okay with emulating the switch games I own.

I’m certain my switch games would still be working in the next 20 years however I’m not too certain I’d still be alive and healthy 😉

@1UP_MARIO : Are you here for a good time but not for a long time too?