Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Plan on about 100GB of free space for one flagship RPG on Nintendo Switch 2. A current example, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, is listed at up to 87.9GB and requires 90GB free to download. Switch 2 advertises 256GB of internal storage, but some of that is reserved for the operating system. A microSD Express card is therefore the practical choice for a multi-game library.
PS5 Pro is far less constrained initially: its custom SSD is 2TB, and Sony documents internal M.2 SSD expansion from 250GB to 8TB. That leaves room for several large RPGs and expansion packs before you need to add storage. Exact requirements still vary by game, edition, language files, patches and whether downloadable content is bundled.
Storage at a glance
| Platform | Built-in capacity | Expansion | What it means for RPGs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch 2 | 256GB advertised; a portion is reserved for system use | microSD Express cards up to 2TB, according to Nintendo Support | One approximately 90GB RPG can consume about a third of the advertised capacity. A 1TB card is a sensible multi-game option. |
| PS5 Pro | 2TB custom SSD | Internal M.2 SSD expansion documented from 250GB to 8TB | There is substantially more headroom for several large RPGs, updates and DLC packs. Expansion is available when the library outgrows the built-in drive. |
These are capacities, not guarantees of usable game space. Console software, formatting and reserved system areas reduce what you can actually install. Store pages also report two different figures: the installed size and the amount of free space needed to complete a download. The latter can be larger temporarily while the console stages and verifies files.
Nintendo Switch 2: why a 100GB allowance is realistic
The 256GB headline figure is not all available to games
Nintendo describes Switch 2 as having 256GB of internal storage for game downloads, save data and other content. Nintendo Support qualifies that statement by noting that a portion is reserved for system use. You should therefore treat 256GB as the hardware specification, not as your game-library budget.
#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.
A GamesRadar report citing the Nintendo eShop listing for Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade gives a useful real-world scale: the listing says the software can be up to 87.9GB and that 90GB must be free to download. The same report identifies 6.9GB reserved for system files in that context. Store listings and system software can change, so regard those numbers as a dated listing example rather than a permanent specification for every Switch 2 title.
What to reserve for one flagship RPG
Keep roughly 100GB free before starting a major RPG download. That amount covers a 90GB-class base installation while leaving a modest margin for patches, language packs, temporary download staging and save-data overhead. It is a planning recommendation derived from the 90GB requirement above, not a universal Nintendo requirement.
If a store page says “90GB required,” do not begin with exactly 90GB available. A failed download can leave partially staged data and force you to clear space before trying again. Delete or archive another game first, then start the installation with the full requirement plus headroom available.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
How DLC and updates change the calculation
The base-game listing is only the starting point. Updates may replace or add files; optional voice languages can add several gigabytes; and an expansion can approach the size of a separate game. Nintendo says Switch 2 microSD Express storage can hold downloaded software, software updates and DLC, so plan the card around the complete library rather than only the initial cartridge or download.
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.
DLC is title-specific. Some games include expansions in a deluxe edition, while others sell them later or never release them. There is no reliable universal “RPG plus DLC” number. Check the current regional Nintendo eShop listing for the exact edition you intend to buy and recheck it before downloading a major expansion.
Why a cartridge or game-key card does not guarantee free space
Physical ownership does not always mean the entire game is on the card. Game-key cards and some cartridges can require a large internet download, and subsequent patches still consume storage. Confirm the packaging and the eShop page for download requirements before assuming that internal space will remain untouched.
Choosing Switch 2 expansion storage
Use microSD Express, not an ordinary Switch card
Nintendo specifies microSD Express for Switch 2 game data and lists support for cards up to 2TB. Ordinary microSD cards used with the original Switch are not compatible for Switch 2 game data. A card that physically fits the slot can still be the wrong standard and fail to provide usable game storage.
Capacity planning
- 256GB internal only: Suitable for a small number of digital games, but a single 90GB-class RPG takes roughly one-third of the advertised capacity before other software and reserved system space are considered.
- 1TB microSD Express: A practical middle ground for several large RPGs, patches and some expansions without constantly deleting games.
- 2TB microSD Express: Nintendo’s documented maximum and the option for a predominantly digital library with many large installations.
Storage capacity does not remove the need to check a title’s listing. A 1TB card can hold many 90GB installations in theory, but updates, DLC and the card’s formatted capacity reduce the usable total.
Rank #3
- Ultra-Fast Read Speeds — Experience read speeds up to 900 MB/s and write speeds up to 620 MB/s, delivering rapid file transfers and smooth performance for gaming, photography, and 4K video recording.
- Optimized for Gaming & Devices – Tested with Switch 2 and compatible with laptops, tablets, cameras, and Android devices that support microSD Express or UHS-I. Ideal for expanding storage without lag.
- 4K Video & High-Resolution Support – Capture and store 4K UHD videos and high-res photos seamlessly thanks to Class 10, U3, V30, and A2 performance ratings.
- Reliable & Durable Design – Built for long-term use with shockproof, temperature-resistant, waterproof, and X-ray-resistant protection, keeping your data safe wherever you go.
- Multiple Capacity Options – Available in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB options to suit your storage needs. Note that actual usable storage may be slightly less due to system formatting and a portion reserved for card management functions, which is a standard industry practice to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
PS5 Pro: how much room 2TB provides
The built-in SSD is designed for a large library
PS5 Pro includes a 2TB custom SSD. That is several times the advertised capacity of Switch 2 and gives you substantially more room for modern RPGs, which commonly use tens of gigabytes and may receive large updates. The usable figure will be lower after system software and formatting, so leave free space rather than filling the drive to its last gigabyte.
With 2TB, you can keep several large RPGs installed at once, but the exact count depends on each title’s build and optional content. Treat each PlayStation Store size as the authoritative number for your region and edition; do not estimate from another platform’s installation.
Adding an internal M.2 SSD
Sony documents PS5 Pro support for an internal M.2 SSD expansion in capacities from 250GB to 8TB. Expansion is useful when you want to keep a large RPG library installed instead of redownloading games. Follow Sony’s compatibility and installation requirements for the specific drive you purchase, then format it in the console before moving or installing games.
An expansion drive adds capacity; it does not make a particular RPG smaller. Keep enough free space on whichever drive receives a game so patches can be downloaded and applied without an emergency deletion.
Rank #4
- EPIC WORLDS, LOADED INSTANTLY. From the Mushroom Kingdom to Hyrule, your card delivers read speeds up to 880 MB/s[2] and write speeds up to 650 MB/s[2].
- OFFICIALLY READY FOR NINTENDO SWITCH 2. Officially licensed for Nintendo Switch 2, this microSD Express card offers dependable, high-performance storage.
- CAPTURE IN STUNNING CLARITY. Capture screenshots and record short video clips of your gameplay in Full HD.
- ROOM FOR YOUR ADVENTURES. With capacities up to 512GB[1], your card gives you the freedom to store your digital games in one place.
DLC planning on PlayStation
Base-game size, updates and add-ons are separate planning variables. An RPG with a season pass or large expansion can grow substantially after launch, while another title may receive only maintenance patches. Do not infer a PlayStation DLC total from a Switch 2 listing or from a PC specification.
Case study: the Final Fantasy VII releases
Remake Intergrade on Switch 2
The Nintendo eShop listing reported by GamesRadar gives the clearest current Switch 2 example: up to 87.9GB for the software and 90GB free required to download it. The report also cites 6.9GB reserved for system files in that listing context. Because listings can change with patches, use the live eShop page immediately before installation.
Rebirth and its DLC outlook
Square Enix describes Final Fantasy VII Rebirth as the second game in the remake trilogy and an expansive, world-spanning action RPG. Square Enix lists it for PS5 and Switch 2, confirms PS5 Pro enhancements in version 1.050, and states: “We have no plans for post-launch DLC content.” For storage planning, that means the base game and future updates are the known variables rather than a promised post-launch expansion. The statement is a publisher plan and could change; check the current store listing for the edition you are buying.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Do not transfer the PC number to a console
Square Enix’s PC specification lists 155GB of SSD space for Rebirth. That is a PC requirement and should not be presented as the PS5 or Switch 2 installation size. Different asset packaging, compression, language selections and platform builds can produce materially different figures.
Best Value
- 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.
A reliable way to calculate your own requirement
- Identify the exact edition. Standard, deluxe, bundle and complete editions can include different DLC. Select the regional Nintendo eShop or PlayStation Store page for your console.
- Record both figures shown. Note the software size and any larger “free space required” figure. Use the larger number when preparing the download.
- Add update and DLC headroom. For a Switch 2 flagship RPG, starting with about 100GB free is a practical baseline when the listing is near 90GB. On PS5 Pro, keep additional room for the expansions you actually plan to install.
- Check languages and optional packs. Voice-over and texture packages may be optional downloads. Install only the languages and content you need if the console offers that choice.
- Verify the storage destination. On Switch 2, confirm that the microSD Express card is inserted and recognized. On PS5 Pro, select the internal or compatible M.2 drive with enough free space.
- Recheck after installation. Open the console’s storage-management screen to see the real installed size, then leave free space for the next patch instead of treating the first number as final.
Common storage mistakes and fixes
“The download says insufficient space even though the game is smaller.”
The console may need temporary room to stage, unpack or verify the download. Free the amount shown in the requirement, not merely the final installed-size estimate. Remove another game or capture files, complete the installation, and then restore anything you still want.
“My old Switch microSD card is recognized but cannot store the game.”
Switch 2 game data requires microSD Express. Replace the card with a supported microSD Express model and format it in the console when prompted. Do not assume that physical compatibility means the card meets the performance and standard requirement.
“The cartridge was purchased, but a large download is still required.”
Some physical releases use a game-key card or contain only part of the software. Connect to the internet, read the package notice and check the eShop listing before deleting other games. Future patches can also require additional space even when the base data is on the cartridge.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall“I used a PC specification to estimate console storage.”
Do not do this. The 155GB figure for Rebirth is specifically a PC SSD requirement. Use the store page for the console and edition you own.
“DLC size is unclear.”
There is no platform-wide allowance that answers this. Check each expansion’s current store entry, include bundled language or texture packs, and leave room for updates. If the publisher has announced no post-launch DLC, as Square Enix has for Rebirth, plan around the base game and patches while recognizing that plans can change.
Practical buying decisions
| Your situation | Practical choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| You will keep one or two large Switch 2 RPGs installed | Use internal storage, maintaining about 100GB free before a 90GB-class download | A single flagship game can consume roughly a third of the advertised 256GB, and system-reserved space reduces the usable amount. |
| You expect a mostly digital Switch 2 library | Buy a microSD Express card, with 1TB as a sensible starting point | Nintendo supports up to 2TB, and downloaded games, updates and DLC can all reside on the card. |
| You want several current RPGs on PS5 Pro | Start with the built-in 2TB SSD | It provides considerably more headroom than Switch 2 for large games and add-ons. |
| Your PS5 Pro library is outgrowing 2TB | Add a compatible internal M.2 SSD in the documented 250GB–8TB range | You can expand without deleting games, provided the drive meets Sony’s requirements. |
Bottom line
For Switch 2, budget approximately 100GB of free space for a modern flagship RPG and choose microSD Express storage if you want more than a small digital library. For PS5 Pro, the 2TB internal SSD is a strong starting point for several RPGs and DLC packs, with M.2 expansion available from 250GB to 8TB when needed. Always verify the current regional store listing: install sizes, required free space, patches, languages and DLC are title- and edition-specific.
Quick Recap
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.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →
