Topic: Switch Memory Question

Ok so with Super Mario Odyssey coming out along with a few other games that I haven't played before, my Switch will be getting alot of use now.

One thing I didn't get a micro SD card for it yet and before I do run out and get one I have a few questions.

1) If I buy a physical copy of a game like Super Mario Odyssey do I have to install it on the systems memory like I have to do with a PS4 game? Also do game saves save to the system memory or their cartridges like 3DS games?

2) Can I buy any micro SD card or do I have to buy a certain one like the Vita?

Thanks for any and all help.

@Tasuki You don't have to install the games. Save data is stored on the internal memory. Something that may prove a bit of a problem in the long run, since you cannot store save data on an SD card. But hopefully they'll fix that in a system update. And yes, any micro SD card will work (SD, SDHC and SDXC).

From Nintendo's support site:

Hi,
1) You don't have to install the games on the system memory because the access to the game-card is much faster than to a blue-ray disc. You may have to install updates, patches and DLCs on internal/SD card storage. Still, we don't know how much space that is going to take, but Nintendo is known for great memory compression. On the Switch the game saves are stored on the internal storage of the device.
2) you can buy any micro SD card on the market, remember that if you get really cheap ones they may get corrupted easier. You can also use more than one Micro SD card but you have to turn the Switch off to switch them . I hope this helped.

That helps alot guys actually. I just want to make sure that I have enough memory on my Switch for Mario Odyssey. Eventually I plan on picking up an SD card but right now bills come first.

Hi everyone
This is my first comment in Nintendo Lifr
To answer our friend @tasuki and everyone, Mario Odyssey digital file size is 5GB, surely I'll get it digital to have it all time accessible.
Cheers and feel free to add me for any online gaming using my nickname as a Nintendo ID

@TidusUK That actually isn't bad I was expecting it alot higher. But I am getting it on card or cartridge or whatever they call it. But definitely some good info there.

Games from carts dont install and even if you get it digital it is 5.3gb in size

Saves are internal memory only for now and any Micro SDXC card works up to 2TB that dont even exist yet.

I like how both of your concerns were downsides to the PS4 and Vita though. Thats actually sad.

@BLP_Software Installing games is not a downside per say at least with the PS4. It mainly just gives me idea if I want to go digital or physical with the console. With the PS4 you have to install games anyway no matter if it's physical or digital so I tend to buy games digitally on the PS4 since I have a 5tb HDD and it saves me from having to swap discs since the games are installed anyway I don't see the point in having a disc especially since I rarely trade games in.

As for the Vita yeah proprietary SD cards, what were you thinking Sony.

@BLP_Software @tasuki
Actually you don't install games on Vita, it's just an issue with Blu-ray gaming even on pc you need ro install games from CDS back in the days and now, catridges are the way to go
I had a Vita and i enjoyed the hell out of Soul Sacrifice, i wish that game comes out on vthe Switch, waaaay superior and mature than monster Hunter series, i always found moving was slow and the screen to screen field thing is annoying, if they make it faster with open map kimda like breath of the wild it'll be way better

@TidusUK Who said anything about installing games on the Vita? You might want to go back and reread the posts above.

Even though I play a fair amount of video games, I haven't really invested or used many S.D. cards. I always used spare S.D. cards or flash-drives.

My question is that since the Switch offers quick archives and cloud back-ups for games (although, I do lack online membership) , should I not take advantage of an Amazon deal for a 64 G.B. S.D. card that is slightly over half off because it would be unnecessary?

By the way, I only have a few hours left for this deal so I need an answer before the day ends.

Buy it.

The game loads and runs from the Cartridge as some mention saves and possible updates remain on system Storage.

It uses standard MicroSD cards not the Vita memory card which was a disaster in itself. If you buy the card get at least 200gb or 400gb if funds allow.