To check whether a Nintendo Switch 2 game card has an update available, connect the console to the Internet, highlight the game on the HOME Menu, press + or −, then select Software Update > Via the Internet. If an update is found, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it. This checks for a software update; it does not tell you whether the physical card is a newer manufacturing revision.
Check for an update from the HOME Menu
- Connect your Nintendo Switch 2 to the Internet.
- Go to the HOME Menu and highlight the game card’s software icon. Do not start the game.
- Press the controller’s + or − button.
- Select Software Update, then Via the Internet.
- If an update is available, follow the prompts to download and install it.
Nintendo also says an update may be offered when you start software while the console is online. You can enable automatic software downloads at System Settings > System > Software Auto-Updates. The exact update availability, version, and download size depend on the specific game; the menu check is the way to check that title.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Samsung microSD Express Card – 256GB for Nintendo Switch™ 2 | $59.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
SANDISK 512GB microSD Express Card | $129.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.83 | Buy on Amazon |
Game cards and game-key cards work differently
A regular game card stores the game data and can generally be played without an Internet connection. An Internet connection is needed to download software updates, and online multiplayer or other online modes also require Internet access.
A game-key card does not contain the full game data. Before its first launch, connect the console to the Internet and download the game to system storage or a microSD Express card. The package shows the required storage space. After that download, the game-key card must still be inserted to play, but ordinary offline play does not require an Internet connection.
#1 Best Overall
- Nintendo Switch 2 uses a new standard of expandable memory card called microSD Express (sold separately). This kind of memory card is needed for faster access speeds and to ensure games will run smoothly.
- Please note: Nintendo Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards. If the microSD cards you have used for Nintendo Switch do not support microSD Express standards, you cannot use them with Nintendo Switch 2.
| Card type | Game data and first play | Internet for later offline play |
|---|---|---|
| Regular game card | Game data is stored on the card; Nintendo says it can be played without an Internet connection. | Not required for offline play; updates and online modes require Internet. |
| Game-key card | Full game data must be downloaded before first launch; sufficient system or microSD Express storage is required. | Not required for ordinary offline play after the download, but the card must be inserted. |
The initial full-game download for a game-key card is separate from the HOME Menu update check. The check looks for available software update data; it does not perform the initial game installation.
Do not confuse a system update with a game update
Nintendo’s Switch 2 system update history says system version 20.1.1 is required to use game-key cards and microSD Express cards. That is a console compatibility requirement, not a game-specific update requirement. If a card is not working, distinguish a console system update from an update to the game itself.
Rank #2
- NEXT GEN GAMING: Works with Nintendo Switch 2.
- READY FOR TOMORROW. Ready for future products with a PCIe-NVMe interface; performs at UHS-I speeds with microSD UHS-I and UHS-II devices.
- EXPONENTIALLY FASTER PERFORMANCE. Up to 4.4 times faster transfer speeds than our fastest microSD UHS-I cards [9]. Transfer a 2-hour HD movie in less than 3.5 seconds [1]; save up to 2.8 minutes transferring 60 minutes of 4K UHD video [4] shot at 30 fps when paired with the SanDisk PRO-READER SD Express Dual Card (sold separately) [9]
- DURABILITY YOU CAN COUNT ON: Cards are waterproof, temperature-proof, humidity-proof, drop-proof, shock-proof, magnetic-proof, x-ray proof, and wear-out proof [5].
- HEAT MANAGEMENT REIMAGINED. SanDisk ThermAdapt helps keep devices from overheating with a specially designed enclosure and controller that uses dynamic adaptive thermal management.
What this check can tell you
The procedure reports whether Nintendo offers a software update for the selected title at the time you check. General instructions cannot establish whether a particular game has an update available, what version it requires, or whether it can be played without one. Nor does an online update check identify the manufacturing revision of the physical game card.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
