Practical guide · NexWave Games
Physical Switch games: what is on the cartridge and what is on the microSD card?
You buy a cartridge game to avoid downloading everything, yet your Switch suddenly asks for free storage space. Is something wrong with the game? Usually not. The cartridge, system memory and microSD card perform different jobs. Understanding the distinction helps you know what a second-hand bundle should include.
The cartridge contains software, not your saved progress
A physical Nintendo Switch game contains game software on its cartridge. How much is immediately playable and which extra downloads are required varies by title. Check the packaging and publisher's information for notices about required downloads or an internet connection. A box with a download code is also different from one containing a real game card. Check what is actually being offered.
According to Nintendo, saved progress is stored in the Switch's system memory, not on the game card or microSD card. A used cartridge therefore does not automatically contain its previous owner's adventure. Likewise, moving only the cartridge to another console does not move your progress with it. Use the appropriate transfer or backup options for that.
Updates and extra files take up space
A game may need an update, extra content or additional game files. These take up space on the console or a supported microSD card, even when the base game is on a physical cartridge. The amount required varies by game and can change with updates. An old storage figure in a listing therefore does not always show what the current version needs.
A microSD card provides more room for downloaded software and additional data, among other things. It does not turn a physical game into a separate digital copy. When playing from a cartridge, you normally still need it to use the physical edition. Keep the game card with its correct box and do not confuse a storage card with a game card. Both are small, but their purposes are very different.
What should you check on a used Switch?
Ask whether the seller is supplying an actual cartridge or only a code. A used or missing download code can affect the contents of a second-hand edition. Also check how much free space the offered Switch has and whether the price includes a microSD card. If a card appears in the photo, ask for confirmation that it is included. Do not base your purchase on games that happen to be installed on a used console.
For a straightforward start, you need a working Switch, the correct cartridge and enough room for any required files. Check the specific game before buying a storage card. Remember: game software may be on the cartridge, downloads use storage space, and your saved progress is in system memory. That makes a free-space warning much less mysterious.
A complete second-hand game box does not have to include a microSD card: that belongs to the console's storage and is not supplied as standard with every physical game. Ask about a card only if the listing promises one. That way, you compare a game and a console bundle with the right expectations.