There are pros and cons to opting for both physical and digital games on Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite. We've lined out what you should consider here.
If you're looking to build a Nintendo Switch game collection of your own or for your family, you might have been faced with an important decision in the past: should you buy digital or physical games? Maybe you're looking to buy a few games right now and you just aren't sure which way to go. There isn't one correct answer when it comes to amassing a Nintendo Switch game collection. In the end, you have to decide what's best for you or your friends and loved ones based on a variety of factors.
Trying to decide between both options right now? Kein Problem! Here are a few things you should consider regarding whether you should pick up physical Nintendo Switch games or whether it's a good idea to go digital.
Should you choose physical or digital Nintendo Switch games?
Source: Nintendo
When purchasing game on the Nintendo Switch, you have two options: digital or physical games. You can mix and match between game types, but both have their own unique sets of pros and cons you should keep in mind when making each purchase. Here's a quick rundown of the important factors you should consider.
Physical games on Switch
Source: Nintendo
Physical games can be purchased just about anywhere electronics are sold, like Walmart, Best Buy, Target, or GameStop. They come on physical cartridges that you can place in your Switch in cases that are smaller than those traditionally used for discs.
Here are some pros and cons dealing with your potential choice to purchase physical versions of Switch games.
Pros of physical games on Switch
1. The game is yours whether it's delisted or removed from the Nintendo Switch eShop
When you purchase a physical game, you can no longer have access to it revoked, even if the game is removed from the Nintendo eShop servers. That isn't the case with digital copies. That means you can hold on to games, well, forever, in theory -- until you sell them or otherwise get rid of them.
2. You don't need to wait to download the game
Unless there's an update you need to download, just pop the cartridge in and you can play right now, without having to wait for a game to download.
3. It doesn't take up storage space
You don't need to install games other than their save and update data, so you don't take up precious space on your system.
4. Easily shared with others
You can let friends and family play the games you buy without having to go through any frustrating sharing procedures on your Switch. Just lend cartridges back and forth.
5. Buy, sell, or trade cartridges
Your game is yours to sell. You can buy, sell, and trade Nintendo Switch physical cartridges to your heart's content.
6. Comes with cool physical goodies
Many physical Switch games come with cool additions, like soundtracks, posters, booklets, and more. You also get a storage case to keep your game in for a nice, neat collection on your shelf.
Cons of physical games on Switch
1. Cartridges can be lost
The Switch's cartridges are very small, slightly larger than a quarter. They can be easily lost, and if you lose them, you'll have to buy replacements.
2. Multiple games need to be carried with you
If you want to swap out games on the go, you need to carry them with you at all times, unlike when they're installed on the Nintendo Switch.
3. Games take up physical space in your home
The more games you have, the more space you'll need in your home to store them. This isn't great news for anyone with small spaces who wants to own plenty of Switch titles.
4. Not every game is available with a physical copy
Some Switch games only get digital releases on the Nintendo eShop, so you won't get to buy a physical version.
Digital games on Switch
Source: Nintendo
Digital games are a great choice for any Switch players who don't mind buying plenty of storage for their system or giving up physical versions of their games. They're quick, convenient, and put your favorite titles at your fingertips. Plus, you can't lose them like tiny cartridges.
Here are some pros and cons regarding whether you might want to pick up digital versions of Switch games instead of physical.
Pros of digital games on Switch
1. Available as soon as they finish downloading
You don't have to wait for a game you purchased to arrive at your home or go to pick it up. You can play a digital Switch game as soon as it's finished downloading and updating without leaving your couch.
Can take multiple games anywhere with you
Depending on how much space you have on your Switch, you can download and store multiple titles to play on the go, which means you can swap out the game you're playing as you see fit.
Easily redownloaded again and again
All games you buy digitally are stored via your Nintendo Account ID, so you can just redownload them as many times as you want when you delete games to free up space, no problem.
Can't be lost
You can't lose a digital game since it's right there on your system. Barring store removal or licenses being revoked, it's there for the foreseeable future.
Some Switch games are only available digitally
Many Switch titles only receive digital releases and aren't available physically. If you opt for digital, you won't miss out on any of the games that release for the Switch, and you'll be sitting pretty.
Cons of digital games on Switch
You can run out of space easily
Unless you buy massive storage cards, you'll likely continue to run out of space on your Switch. This can be a bit frustrating but that's how you store all your games, so you'll have to keep buying more memory.
Downloads can take a while
Depending on your internet connection, it can take some time to download your games. If you have a slow connection, it's an exceedingly bad idea to try and download all your games on Switch, so you'll have to find a place where you've got the speed and bandwidth.
Games can be removed from the eShop
Occasionally, games can be delisted from the eShop, and you'll no longer be able to download them. You essentially won't "own" the game anymore if you can't download it, and you won't receive a refund for your time.
Games can't be shared, traded, or sold
You can't simply share, trade, or sell the games you purchase on Nintendo Switch when you buy them digitally. They are tied to your system, for better or worse.
You must have an internet connection to play digital games
The Switch must occasionally "call home" to verify that you are indeed the owner of the game you're playing. Additionally, if you aren't on your primary system, your Switch will need to verify that you can play a game and it's yours before starting. That means unless you have portable internet, you can't take it on the go.
The Verdict
Source: Unsplash
When it comes to deciding which version of a game is right for you, whether it's physical or digital, it really depends on your lifestyle. If you don't mind having a large physical space set aside for games and cartridges or using cartridges to swap in and out your games, you should go physical. If you're enamored with how you can carry multiple games at a time on your Switch or how you can download and play right away with digital, then choose the eShop for your needs.
Many will find that a good mixture of both purchasing options will work best for them, according to their situation. You can always borrow a little from one column and a little from another to customize your Switch experience. That's the beauty of choice, after all.
Mehr lesen
- Das perfekte Geschenk für echte Gamer
- Holiday Gaming Gift Guide 2020
- Best Gifts for Switch Gamers
Join the official SteelSeries Discord server!
FAQs
Do Switch games run better digital or physical? ›
Much of it comes down to personal preference. If you like having shelves lined with your games that you can browse and reminisce, you'll want to go for physical. If you prefer the convenience and speed offered through digital purchases, and don't want game boxes lying around, then you'll want to go digital.
Do digital games take up more space than physical Switch? ›The digital advantage
The most obvious benefit of downloading a digital copy of a game onto your Nintendo Switch console is that it doesn't take up any physical space. You won't have a shelf full of old Switch games that you never play anymore.
- Hold down the POWER Button on the top of the console for 3 seconds.
- Select "Power Options" from the Power Menu that's displayed.
- Select "Restart".
The only short-term solution that has worked thus far has been to do a “hard reset” of the Switch — holding down the power button for 15 seconds until it completely shuts down, then turning it back on.
Will switch digital games last forever? ›All games you buy digitally are stored via your Nintendo Account ID, so you can just redownload them as many times as you want when you delete games to free up space, no problem. You can't lose a digital game since it's right there on your system.
Is it cheaper to buy games digitally or physically? ›Both discs and digital games cost about the same, and they provide a gaming experience and interface that is often identical. Yet while physical discs still represent most sales, more and more gamers (and gaming console manufacturers) are moving toward downloadable cloud-based offerings.
How many GB can a Switch cartridge hold? ›The cards come in a variety of capacities: 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB. 64 GB cards were planned to be introduced in the second half of 2018, but due to unspecified circumstances, Nintendo delayed the launch of this variant to 2019, and then delayed it again to 2020.
How big of an SD card should I get for Switch? ›If you're planning on downloading many games, you probably want a high-capacity card like a 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB microSD card. You'll be able to store more than enough games and they'll load faster since they're higher performance cards. For moderate use, a 32GB or 64GB microSD card will work.
Will physical games disappear? ›Physical games aren't going to go completely extinct any time soon. As long as there's a market of game collectors who value a tangible product, there will be physical discs and cartridges to satisfy that market, akin to vinyl records in the music business (sales of which have actually been growing of late).
What happens if I hard reset my Switch? ›All data in the system memory, including software, save data, screenshots, and user information will be deleted, restoring the console to factory settings.
What does a soft reset do on Switch? ›
While soft resetting your Nintendo Switch may appear as a simple restart, holding the Power button down for 10 to 15 seconds signals for your console to clear any unnecessary data that could be causing software issues.
Is there a hard reset for Switch? ›Press and hold the POWER Button down until the system resets; this may take some time. Once the system is powered down, press the POWER Button once to turn it back on.
Can you solve the three switch problem? ›Open the door. If the light is on, then switch number 2 controls it. If the light is off, then go and feel the bulb with your hand. If the bulb is hot, then switch number 1 controls it, and if the bulb is cold, then switch number 3, the one you did not touch, controls it.
Why does my switch keep having errors? ›Verify that your console has the latest system version. Check for any available updates for the problematic software. Check for any corrupt data for the problematic software. Delete the problematic software and redownload it.
What can cause a switch to fail? ›The problem of switch failure generally includes physical layer failure, port negotiation and self-loop issues , Vlan issues , device compatibility issues , and other problems. The superior performance of the switch and the substantial drop in price have promoted the rapid popularity of the switch.
How many years will the Switch last? ›As I discussed with former Nintendo president Reggie Fils-Aimé, the Switch seems due for some sort of upgrade... but according to Nintendo, the Switch's life cycle could be as long as 10 years.
What happens to my digital games if I lose my Switch? ›If you do not have access to the original console, you can still transfer your Nintendo Account and digital games to a different Nintendo Switch console and make that console your account's primary console. Follow these steps to complete this process.
Can I sell digital Switch games? ›Most people wonder how Nintendo Switch games bought digitally can be sold. This can done by selling an account as a whole. This includes all the games bought digitally, even the additional DLCs and season passes.
Do digital games take more space? ›Downloading digital games
Your games need to be downloaded to your device whether they're physical or digital, and they take up the same amount of space.
Digital Games Are Priced for Retail Parity
For the moment, retailers remain a crucial part of the sales network for video games and video game hardware. If digital storefronts from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo undercut retailers by a large margin, those same retailers may choose not to stock physical games at all.
Can I sell digital games? ›
Gameflip is the best way to sell games for cash
Whether it's brand new, lightly used, physical or digital, you can sell them all on Gameflip. Simply list your games using our website or our free mobile app. Once your game is sold, follow the instruction to ship (physical games) or send it (digital games) to the buyer.
Reddit user bob4978135 (via VGC) discovered that Tears of the Kingdom has a file size of 18.2GB, which makes it the biggest Switch game of all time made by Nintendo. For comparison, the biggest Switch game from Nintendo currently is Breath of the Wild (14.4 GB).
Do Switch games take up memory? ›A game usually takes up about 10GB on the memory of your console. So, you choose a memory card. Place it in the Nintendo Switch and it's ready for use right away. Depending on how many games you want to save on the SD card, you decide on the amount of storage capacity.
What is the largest microSD card for Switch? ›- microSD (up to 2 GB)
- microSDHC (4 GB - 32 GB)
- microSDXC (64 GB and above)
With incredible speed, the officially licensed SanDisk® microSDXC card for the Nintendo Switch console lets you add 128GB of space to your system. Spend less time waiting and more time gaming with read and write speeds of up to 100MB/s and 90MB/s respectively.
Can you put a 1TB SD card in a Nintendo Switch? ›SanDisk has a Micro SD card with a capacity of 1TB, which is a fantastic option for Switch owners who plan to download a lot of games, but it's naturally a little more on the pricey side. If you have that sort of cash to spend, this is currently the ultimate option for your Switch.
Can I use a 512GB SD card for Switch? ›The SanDisk microSDXC card for the Nintendo Switch game system is designed to provide dependable storage as you conquer new levels. Add up to 512GB1 of storage to your Nintendo Switch in a matter of seconds, and rest easy knowing you have room for your favorite games.
Do gamers last longer? ›The researchers found that while gamers and non-gamers showed no difference in erectile and orgasmic function, gamers were less likely to report premature ejaculation than non-gamers. A lessened desire for intercourse among gamers, the researchers hypothesized, could be responsible for this finding.
What game took forever out? ›The long-awaited sequel to Beyond Good & Evil has overtaken Duke Nukem Forever as the game with the longest-ever development period. Duke Nukem Forever, which finally released in 2011, previously held the Guinness World Record for the longest development period for a video game project, at just over 14 years.
How long does initializing a Switch take? ›From the HOME Menu, select "System Settings" → "System" → "Formatting Options" → "Initialize Console". *The process may take up to five minutes to complete.
Why won t my Switch turn on after hard reset? ›
If the Switch doesn't turn on after performing a hard reset, it might be a bigger hardware problem. You might have a damaged charging port, a faulty battery, or unresponsive buttons. Contact customer service to set up a repair.
Which is better soft reset or hard reset? ›A soft reset is the restarting or rebooting of a device like a computer, smartphone or tablet. It closes all applications and clears any data in random access memory. This is different from a hard reset, which could potentially cause loss of settings, saved applications and user data.
Is there a way to soft reset? ›To perform a soft reset, you power off your phone and turn it back on. Restarting your phone closes all the processes and apps running on your phone and loads all the system files from scratch. A soft reset does not come with the risk of losing your data.
How do you reset a frozen Switch? ›Hold down the POWER Button for at least 20 seconds to force the console to power off, then remove any game cards or microSD cards. Power on the console and perform a system update. If the issue persists, power off the console again, then format the console without deleting save data.
How do I hard reset a quick Switch? ›- Ensure the console is powered off. ...
- With the console powered off, press and hold down the volume up (+) and volume down (-) buttons, then press the POWER Button to turn the console on. ...
- Once in recovery mode, select “Restore Factory Settings Without Deleting Save Data".
The said number has all the numbers from 0-9 exactly once and what is special is they are in lexicographical order of their english words. Where 8,549,176,320 becomes eight-five-four-nine-one-seven-six-three-two-zero.
How do you bypass a 3-way switch? ›To convert a 3-way switch to single pole, one of the traveler wires is removed from the switch. In order for a 3-way switch to function as a single pole, the wires need to be connected to the common and one of the traveler terminals. It will not work if the wires are connected to the two traveler terminals.
Can 3 switches control one light? ›Controlling a light with two or more switches
A light or lights can be controlled by more than one switch. The usual practice in home construction is to use 3-way switches. "3-way" is the electrician's designation for a single pole double throw (SPDT) switch.
From the HOME Menu, select "System Settings." Scroll down the options on the left and select "Data Management." On the right-hand side select "Software," then select the software you would like to check. Select "Check for Corrupt Data."
What is the most common problems with Nintendo Switch? ›Scratches or Marks on the Screen
If the screen is scratched, that's trickier. Scratches are a common problem when taking the Switch in and out of the dock. You might be able to buff light scratches out with a cloth, but don't hold out too much hope.
How do I know if my Nintendo Switch has corrupted data? ›
- From the HOME Menu, select "System Settings."
- Scroll down the options on the left and select “Data Management”
- On the right hand side select “Software”, then select the software title you would like to check.
- Select “Check for Corrupt Data”
- Inspect the Switch. Sometimes, a damaged or faulty switch will be immediately evident. ...
- Check Light Bulb or Outlet. ...
- Check the Circuit Breaker; Shut Off Power. ...
- Remove the Coverplate, Test for Power. ...
- Inspect the Wire Connections. ...
- Remove the Switch. ...
- Test for Continuity.
- Step 1: Test Transverter. ...
- Step 2: Determine Which Switch Is Stuck in a Touch Plate Low Voltage System. ...
- Step 3: Disconnect Problem Switches. ...
- Step 4: Restore Power to Your Touch Plate System.
If there is a broken light switch mechanism then the chance of electrical fires, electrical shock and burns increases. Broken toggles, loose wiring connections, light bulb or fixture issues and poor light switch installations are common reasons for this problem.
Is digital or physical games better switch Reddit? ›TL;DR: physical games are better. The only reason to get a digital game over physical is if you are buying a multiplayer game (Smash, Mario Kart, Party) that will always only be used by you.
Is it better to get digital games? ›You can do it from the comfort of your own home. Digital games are on average cheaper than their physical counterparts since you have no disk or case or other paraphernalia. Buying a digital game tied to a service like PSN or Steam means that you always have a backup to download if you want to.
Why are physical switch games more expensive than digital? ›In the interest of fairness, it's important to acknowledge that digital games have associated costs that physical games do not. The most obvious one is that digital games need infrastructure to maintain them. The game has to be stored in a data center and served to users all over the world using top-tier bandwidth.
Why are switch physical games cheaper? ›Mostly just supply and demand. They start out at the same price. Then over time, the demand for the game drops lower than the supply of the retail copies, so they need to lower prices in order to sell their pre-existing stock. Digital games have an infinite supply so aren't subject to the price system in the same way.
Can digital games be taken away? ›By buying a digital game, you are simply buying a license to play it - and the platform holder has the right to revoke that license at any time.
Is PS5 better or switch? ›Conclusion. Based on the hardware specifications, the PS5 is a much stronger console when compared to the Nintendo Switch, but that cannot be the only factor when deciding between the two. If you are looking to play the latest games at the highest graphic settings, the PS5 is for you.
Do physical switch games take up less memory? ›
Yeah, they do. Although they take up much less space than downloading the digital version from the Nintendo eShop, it still uses your storage. It takes up space when installing, which is when you first put the cartridge in your Switch. It also takes up space when you have save files.
Are online games good for your brain? ›Functional MRI brain imaging analyses found that children who played video games for three or more hours per day showed higher brain activity in regions of the brain associated with attention and memory than did those who never played.
Why physical games are better than video games? ›Playing a sport promotes discipline. When a child is involved in games with other children, he is more likely to learn lessons on decision-making and dexterity. These lessons stay through life. Also, creativity is boosted when a child spends more time playing.
Is ps5 better than digital? ›The main difference being that the former has a disc drive, and the latter doesn't. The disc-less Digital Edition will only be able to stream games, films, music and TV shows, rather than running them straight off a CD, DVD or Blu-ray.
How big of an SD card should I get for switch? ›If you're planning on downloading many games, you probably want a high-capacity card like a 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB microSD card. You'll be able to store more than enough games and they'll load faster since they're higher performance cards. For moderate use, a 32GB or 64GB microSD card will work.
Why are all switch games full price? ›You pay for the brand. Nintendo games are expensive because they have a reputation for creating some of the best games. Even if it follows similar gameplay, selling at a cheaper price would be foolish for a household name like Nintendo.
Why are switch games full price? ›The same reason Nintendo games are expensive is the same reason Apple products are. It is an extremely well-known and trusted brand with decades of history behind it. People trust Nintendo, therefore, they are willing to pay more for Nintendo products.
Do physical games take up space? ›PSA: Buying physical discs WILL NOT save space on your SSD or hard drive. Despite what Digital Foundry suggests in their Series S Reaction, buying physical discs makes no difference in how much space a game will require to install.
Can you use any SD card for Nintendo Switch? ›Only microSD cards can be used on the Nintendo Switch console. Due to the slot size, SD cards and miniSD cards are not compatible with Nintendo Switch.
Is switch online getting more expensive? ›The original service, still available for $20 a year, provides access to online gaming, cloud saves, and a growing library of over 100 NES and SNES games to play. The new tier, thirty dollars more and set to launch on October 25, will offer all of this plus a collection of Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis titles.